Department of Animal Diversity and Resources

Annual Report 2022 (in Bulgarian)

Research Priorities of the Department

The Department of Animal Diversity and Resources studies the diversity of animals in Bulgaria, the region, Europe and the world and their ecological and evolutionary interactions at all levels, from genes and populations to communities and ecosystems.

These studies include:

- Inventory and classification of animal diversity

- Origin, evolution, phylogenetic relationships and dynamics of animal diversity

- Structure and functioning of animal populations and communities

- Scientific principles of the animal species conservation: elucidation of threatening factors and development of methods for their elimination or mitigation

- Approaches and methods for sustainable management of animal resources

- Ecology and biology of socially or economically important animal species, including methods for assessment, mitigation of impact or control of parasites, invasive species, pests and other animals of importance for the human health, environment conservation, agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, game farming or management of animal resources

- Value of animals as indicators for assessment of the quality of environment and the human impact on it; development of approaches and methods for assessment of the animal diversity; development of biomonitoring and biosafety systems

Recent and Current Projects

2008-2013: Compass orientation, navigation and inherited migration program of long-distance passerine migrants. Funded by the National Science Fund of the Republic of Bulgaria (DO 02-277). Leader: Dr M. Ilieva

2009-2014: Planetary Biodiversity Inventory: A survey of the tapeworms (Cestoda: Playhelminthes) from the vertebrate bowels of the earth (link). Funded by the National Science Foundation, USA. Leader: Prof. J. Caira (University of Connecticut). Leader of Bulgarian partner team: Prof. B. Georgiev

2009-2013: Phylogenetic ultrastructure markers for parasitic worms. Funded by the National Science Fund of the Republic of Bulgaria (DO 02-271). Leader: Dr P. Nikolov

2009-2013: Effect of ski-runs in the Pirin National Park on the biodiversity of model groups of organisms. Funded by the National Science Fund of the Republic of Bulgaria (DO 02-270). Leader: Dr S. Nikolov

2010-2013: Usage of milk proteins genetic polymorphism for selection and breeding of dairy cows in Bulgaria. Funded by the National Science Fund of the Republic of Bulgaria (YRG No 02/23 28.12.2009). Partners: Biochemistry Department, Biological Faculty of Sofia University, Agricultural and Stockbreeding Experimental Station, Smolyan. Leader: Dr P. Hristov

2010-2013: Avian malaria parasites and related haemosporidians: linking traditional and molecular biology data. Project in the frames of the Bilateral Cooperation Agreement between Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Lithuanian Academy of Sciences. Leader of the Bulgarian partner team: Assoc. Prof. P. Zehtindjiev

2011-2013: Ultrastructural studies on the reproductive systems of tapeworms (Cestoda) and phylogenetic implications. Project in the frames of the Bilateral Cooperation Agreement between Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. Partner: Institute of Parasitology, Ceske Budejovice. Leader for IBER-BAS: Dr A. Yoneva

2011-2013: Natural focal infections in rodents important from point of view of human pathology: ecological and epidemiological studies and geographical distribution in Bulgaria. Funded by the National Science Fund of the Republic of Bulgaria (DVU 10-216 2010). Partners: University of Plovdiv, IBER-BAS, National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Ministry of Healthcare, Aristotle University (Thessaloniki). Leader: Dr H. Dimitrov (University of Plovdiv). Coordinator for IBER-BAS: Assoc. Prof. T. Chassovnikarova

2011-2013: Mapping and identification of the conservation status of habitats and species, Phase 1. Funded by Operational Program "Environment 2007-2013", Priority Axis 3 "BG161PO005/09/31/01/08 - Development of Natura 2000 network". Leader: V. Dimitrova

2011-2013: ANIDIV - Studies on the population structure, species diversity and communities of animals in natural and modified ecosystems, and on the factors determining their status. Funded by Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Leader: Prof. B. Georgiev. Coordinator: Dr V. Sakalian

2012-2015: ARANGE - Advanced multifunctional management of European mountain forests. (link). Funded by EC FP7. Leader of Bulgarian partner team: Assoc. Prof. T. Zlatanov (Forest Research Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences). Participant from IBER-BAS: Assoc. Prof. B. Nikolov

2012-2014: Phylogeny of the Palaearctic representatives of Tettigoniinae (Insecta: Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) on the basis of molecular, chromosome, morphological and ethological peculiarities. Funded by the Ministry of Science and High Education of Poland. Leader of the Bulgarian partner team: Assoc. Prof. D. Chobanov

2012-2014: Cytotaxonomic and genomic alterations of Chironomidae, Diptera and Tettigoniidae, Orthoptera. Project in the frames of the Bilateral Cooperation Agreement between Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Polish Academy of Sciences. Partner: Institute of Ecology and Systematics of Animals, Krakow. Leader of the Bulgarian partner team: Prof. P. Michailova

2012-2014: Comparative analysis of the chromosome polymorphism in natural populations and laboratory lineages of Cimex lectularius (Insecta, Heteroptera, Cimicidae). Project in the frames of the Bilateral Cooperation Agreement between Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Russian Academy of Sciences. Leader of the Bulgarian partner team: Assoc. Prof. S. Grozeva

2012-2014: Conservation genetics of red deer (Cervus elaphus L.): population-genetic status and phenotype realization in its East-European geographical range. Project in the frames of the Bilateral Cooperation Agreement between Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Russian Academy of Sciences. Leader of the Bulgarian partner team: Prof. G. Markov

2013-2014: A cytogenetic environmental quality ratio as an indicator of pollution. Funded by the Royal Society, London, UK. Leader for IBER-BAS: Prof. P. Michailova

- Staff