The Protected Fishes of Croatia

Croatia Post Office has issued the one set of 3 stamps featured species of the Protected Fish on the first of September 2009. The species are the Adriatic Sturgeon on 3.50 of value, the Visovac Goby on 5.00 of value, and the Danubian Bream on 5.00 of value.

The Adriatic Sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii Bonaparte)

The Adriatic Sturgeon is an endemic species of the Adriatic Sea and the sub-Adriatic rivers. Its habitats are the rivers of northern Italy and in Croatia it is found in the river mouths of the rivers flowing into the Adriatic Sea. The Adriatic Sturgeon is a demersal species inhabiting freshwater, brackish water and seawaters of the Adriatic. It lives in the sea, at places with silty or sandy bottom. It mostly stays close to the river mouths, up to a depth of 40 m, although it sometimes goes deeper.

Its body is elongated and spindle-shaped and is not covered with scales but with bony plates or scutes, extending along the body in five rows.Their back is olive-green and brown, the sides are lighter in colour and their belly is white. The top of the head is a projecting wedge-shaped snout, broad and relatively short, and with the rounded tip. The Adriatic Sturgeon has a subterminal moth (mouth posterior to the tip of the snout). The dorsal fin is located far on the back and the caudal fin is asymmetric (heterocercal).

The Adriatic Sturgeon feeds on invertebrates from the bottom and small fishes. The Adriatic Sturgeon is an anadromous species: it lives in the sea and migrates to fresh water (rivers) to breed. It is a long-living species that grows slowly.The Adriatic Sturgeon may grow up to 2000 mm in length and reach the weight of 25 kg, although it is usually considerably smaller.

The Adriatic Sturgeon is threatened by the pollution of watercourses and partition of rivers, which prevents their migrations and the overfishing of still growing fishes.Pursuant to the existing protection based on the law, the Adriatic Sturgeon is a strictly protected species.

The Visovac Goby (Knipowitschia mrakovcici Miller)

The Visovac Goby occurs only in Croatia, in Visovac Lake on the Krka river. This fish was discovered and recognised it as a new species in 1989. The Visovac Goby has the elongated body and laterally flattened to the tail. There are few scales, only on the sides and the tail. Males are slightly bigger and heavier than females on average and have more than 10 transversal stripes on the sides. Dimorphism is very visible during the spawning season, when the males have darker heads and fins. The Visovac Goby can reach 45 mm in length. The Visovac Goby feeds on nutrients found on the bottom, mostly small water invertebrates. Its life span is short. The Visovac Goby is a demersal, freshwater fish inhabiting the silty, sandy and gravel bottom of Visovac Lake on the Krka river. It has a small movement range.They have limitation of their habitat.

The Visovac Goby belongs to the category of endangered species ,due to sensitive to eutrofication, i.e. the quantity of nutrients in the water, pollution and all other changes in its habitat. According to the IUCN Red List, this species is Endangered (EN) in Croatia. Pursuant to the existing protection based on the law, the Visovac Goby is a strictly protected species.

The Danubian Bream (Ballerus sapa )

The Danubian Bream inhabits big lowland rivers, estuaries and backwaters.They live in schools and are more active during the night. Its habitats in Croatia include the rivers flowing into the Danube: the Sava, the Drava and the Danube itself, as well as its bigger tributaries.Its favourite spawning locations are more peaceful places in rivers with thick aquatic plants.

The body of the Danubian Bream is laterally flattened and relatively high. The most conspicuous on its small head is the size of the eyes. The mouth is small and semi-inferior. The back is dark blue to greenish and the sides and the belly is silver. The anal fin is extremely long and extends to the tail and its base is three times longer than the base of the dorsal fin. The length of the anal fin covers one third of the body length. The outer edge may be darker. The Danubian Bream usually reaches the length of 15 to 25 cm, or maximum 40 cm, and the mass of approximately 1 kg.

The Danubian Bream is endangered by partitions, regulation and channelling of water streams, as well as by their pollution.Pursuant to the existing protection based on the law, the Danubian Bream is a strictly protected species.

Preservation of Nature on Slovakia stamps

In relation with the Preservation of Nature , Slovakia Post issued the stamps features specific dogs on 18th of April 2007. The dogs are Slovensky čuvač and Slovensky kopov which both breed in Slovakia.The face value of stamps are same, 31 sk.The issued product of stamps are one set of 2 stamps, one souvenir sheet as shown, FDC for each single stamp.

Slovensky čuvač

Early last century the čuvač was a popular breed in Slovakia.The characteristics of this breed, a robust body and thick white coat, are similar to those of mountain dog types. Slovensky čuvač size is 62-70 cm high. Slovensky čuvač moves with ease, quickly, and likes to run. Historically the Slovensky čuvač was a valuable helper to border guards, shepherds, and cattlemen. It protected sheep pens, chalets, and farms. This wide range of skills shows its immense value and character. Slovensky čuvač is a calm sheepdog, and if bred in suitable conditions displays not only inherited skills but also new tasks

Slovensky kopov

Slovensky kopov is not very sturdy; it has a height range from 45-50 cm (40-45 cm), and typically a black coat with brown to mahogany marks. The breed is extremely fierce; therefore it is used mainly for wild boars and vermin. It has a highly developed sense of orientation Slovensky kopov follows a fresh scent unwaveringly for several hours. However, it is also good at tracing shot animals. Nevertheless, Slovensky kopov is not a kennel dog. It works best when hunting individually. Despite its typically fierce character and temperament, Slovensky kopov is a cuddly and friendly companion.Currently, the Slovensky kopov is the highest-bred hound in Slovakia. On average, 300 - 400 puppies are registered annually.

Preservation of Nature -Slovakia

On 23th of October 2009, Post of Slovakia issued stamp series of protected animal which found in Slovakia. There species are the Fire Salamander (Salamandra salamandra) and the European Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis). Both stamps have same face value.

The Fire Salamander is a biggest salamander, measuring up to 20 centimetres in Slovakia and 30 centimetres in Europe. It has a wide head and robust cylindrical body ended by a tail. Its smooth skin has a number of pores through which it can discharge secretions from its poison glands, an action which is suggested by its alerting colour. It has a black body covered with a number of yellow-orange spots of varying size. Fire Salamander active at night and prefer deciduous, in particular, oak and beech forests on foothills or mountains. During the day salamanders like to hide in fallen leafs, under tree trunks or stones, in burrows of other mammals, and various clefts. Fire Salamanders occur throughout Europe, except Scandinavia, the British Isles, and the Mediterranean islands. They can also be found in Turkey and North Africa. The eastern border of their occurrence is delineated by the Carpathian range.The Fire Salamander is a protected species throughout Europe, including Slovakia.

The European Pond Turtle has a slightly curved shell. The upper part of the shell (the carapace) is up to 30 centimetres long, and is brown-black with many small whitish or yellow spots. The lower shell (the plastron) is yellow-white to light-brown and has variably dark (usually black) markings. The turtle’s skin on its limbs, tail, neck and the greater part of head is covered by scutes. It has five digits on the front feet, and four digits fused into paddles for swimming with sharp claws on its back feet. European Pond Turtles usually occur in still water or muddy and overgrown streams in lower altitudes.The turtles can remain submerged for long periods due to their strong breathing apparatus which consists of anal gland and oral cavity mucosa that can absorb oxygen from the water. European Pond Turtles are mostly carnivorous, usually feeding on insects, fish, crustaceans, earthworms, and amphibians, sometimes also dead animals, and their diet also includes vegetation.European Pond Turtles are found in Southern and Central Europe, Western Asia, and North Western Africa. In Slovakia they only occur within a few isolated areas of the Eastern and Western lowlands. In Slovakia, it is a critically endangered animal which is subject to the highest degree of protection.

Nature Conservation of Slovakia- Scarcest orchid.

In relation with theme of Nature Conservation, Slovakia Post Office issued the stamp series of the scarcest orchid family, Ophrys apifera (Bee orchid) , and Cypripedioidae calceolus (Lady’s Slipper orchid). T2 100 g of stamp depicted Cypripedioidae calceolus and T2 500 g of stamp depicted Ophrys apifera .

Ophrys apifera is the only representative of this genus capable of self-pollination, which means that it does not need to attract insects and rely on pollinators. The occurrence of Ophrys apifera in Slovakia is rare represent the flower’s most northern habitats. Ophrys apifera usually grows in the warmer parts of Western Slovakia, in meadows and shrubby slopes, thin forests and typically on limy soils which extend from lowlands to upland ranges. In Slovakia, this genus is represented by five species The Ophrys apifera or Bee orchid population declined due to to the destruction of biotopes and overgrowing. In addition to the conservation of individual localities, the species is also protected by law and listed in the Slovak Red List of Plants and Animals and subject to conservation under the CITES convention.

Cypripedioidae calceolus measures up to 60 cm with a creeping rootstalk, from which a stem sprouts with 3-5 alternate and 4-7 cm wide lanceolate leaves.This genus is to be found in Asia and North America, comprising about 20 species.The species can usually be found on the foothills or mountains of Northern Slovakia. Cypripedioidae calceolus prefers limy soils, deciduous forests, especially oak and beech, but it may also, though rarely, occur in conifer forests, edges of forests, and shrubby hillsides. The flower is also threatened by the destruction of biotopes and changes in the wood composition of forests.The species listed in the Red Slovak Red List of Plants and Animals, and subject to conservation based on the CITES convention.

The Forest Fruits of Slovakia

Slovakia Post issued the stamp series of the forest fruit on 14th of September 2000. The depicted fruits are billberry on 15 sk, common strawberry on 13 sk, and wild raspberry on 11 sk..

Bilberry - Vaccinium myrtillus L.

The bilberry is a low, densely ramified bush with egg-shaped deciduous leaves, round rosily flowers and black-blue fruits (berries). It grows widely in the submontane to alpine level sour rock beds in forests, mountain pines, on grassless mountains, heathlands and peateries. For healing effects the leaves containing tanning substances and glucokinins, are gathered. They reduce the sugar level in the blood. The fruits - bilberries - belong to the healthiest kinds of fruits with the wide use possibilities. They contain colouring substances — antokyans, C vitamin, B complex and A provitamin.

Common Strawberry - Fragaria vesca L.

The common strawberry largely grows in the entire country in light forests and shrubby hillsides from the lowlands to the sub-alpine level. . The common strawberry is extended in the entire central Europe. Already in the antics the strawberries were gathered as forest fruits suitable for preparation of syrups and jams. The fresh fruits are a healthy and nutritious delicacy. The young leaves are within living memory used for the preparation of a daily tea for the purposes of the folk healing. They contain tanning substances, C vitamin and flavonoids.

Wild raspberry - Rubus idaeus L.

The wild raspberry is a bush, which is widely extended in light forests, in glades, in shrubbery and meadow forests from lowlands to mountain localities. It belongs to the honey-bearing plants, it provides the bees with much nectar and bloom. The seeds were found already in lake neolitic dwellings, what testifies to its old use by a man. The fruits contain fruit acids and sugars, they are processed to syrup. The leaves are used after fermentation for the preparation of tea with a cleaning effect, they are the part of several industrially produced healing tea mixtures. They contain mainly tanning substances, flavones and a smaller quantity of C vitamin.

The Largest Carnivore Animal of Slovakia

Slovakia issued the stamp series depicted the largest carnivore animal such as Lynx, Common Wolf, and Brown Bear. The stamp issued on July 2001 in one set comprises of 3 pieces stamps and one souvenir sheet composed of the set of stamps.

Lynx.

Lynx is the largest European cat, heavily built, quadratic body with long legs is 80 - 115 cm long, 55 -70 cm tall, weighting 15-30 kg. Lynx’s fur is thick, rusty grey-yellow with dark brown spots. The bottom of its body and chin are whitish, ear tufts and the end of a short tail are black. Lynx has striking black stripes on its cheeks. Lynx is active mostly at dusk and at night, its territory covers up to 30 km2. It is solitary, making couples only during the mating period. The cubs reach sexual maturity after 2 years, and they live about 16-18 years.

Common Wolf (Cam’s lupus L.)

A large carnivore from the dog family..The length of body in grown-up individuals reaches 120 - I5O cm, height in shoulders 65 - 80 cm, and weight 30 - 50 (65) kg. Its fur coat is predominantly grey, sometimes with a rusty-brown shade. being darker at the back and paler at the bottom. Wolf hunts by chasing a prey, mostly ungulates (deer, roe deer, wild boar), and it occasionally feeds on carcasses. Wolf cubs reach sexual maturity at the end of second year, and they live 14 - 16 years.

Brown Bear (Ursus arctos L.)

Brown Bear is the largest European carnivore. Brown Bear live in forests of northern and central Slovakia, 700 - 1500 meters above the sea level. Their robust body is 150 - 220 cm long, it measures 90 - 125 cm in height, and weights 150 - 350 kg. Coloration of fur varies from fair brown to dark brown; cubs have a light strip on their neck. Bear is omnivorous, and active in the evening and at night, its territory covers 15 - 30 km". Brown Bear is solitary and can live about 30 years.