Table 1. Inter- and intrapopulation variability of Merodon serrulatus.CharacterVariability (intra- and/or interpopulation)IntraIntercolor of antennafrom black to brown+-length of basoflagellomere1.7-2.2 times as long as wide++ shorter in Balkans populations (1.7-1.9)position of antennal fossette in maledorsal to lateral or dorsal and medial (Fig. 3)++ Iberian populations with medial fossettelength of arista1.0-1.5 times as long as basoflagellomere-+ longer in Balkans populations (1.4)ocellar triangle in maleequilateral or isosceles+-microtrichose vittae on scutumfrom 2-4, posterior half dull without microtrichia+-black pile on scutumfew, or fascia of black pile between wing basis, or many black pile on scutum+-color of pile on metafemur in maleall yellowish to whitish or with many black in apical one third++ some Iberian populations with only pale pilelength of pile on metafemur in maleone third to one fifth of width of metafemur++ in eastern populations (southern Russia to Siberia) longer, from one third to one fourth of width of metafemurcolor of knees, apex of tibiae and tarsifrom black to brown+-lateral maculae on tergum 2distinct, indistinct, to almost absent+-pile on terga 3-4 in malefrom all pale yellow to many black++ Balkans populations with more black pilemicrotrichose vittae on frons in femalefrom narrow unconnected to broad and connected near ocellar triangle+-color of pile on frons in femalealmost all black to mostly whitish+-male genitaliathe shape of surstyle and size of area covered with dense short marginal setulae on anterior surstyle lobe (Figs 1, 6)++ in eastern populations (southern Russia to Siberia) basolateral protrusion less distinct (Fig. 6G)

Table 1. Inter- and intrapopulation variability of Merodon serrulatus.CharacterVariability (intra- and/or interpopulation)IntraIntercolor of antennafrom black to brown+-length of basoflagellomere1.7-2.2 times as long as wide++ shorter in Balkans populations (1.7-1.9)position of antennal fossette in maledorsal to lateral or dorsal and medial (Fig. 3)++ Iberian populations with medial fossettelength of arista1.0-1.5 times as long as basoflagellomere-+ longer in Balkans populations (1.4)ocellar triangle in maleequilateral or isosceles+-microtrichose vittae on scutumfrom 2-4, posterior half dull without microtrichia+-black pile on scutumfew, or fascia of black pile between wing basis, or many black pile on scutum+-color of pile on metafemur in maleall yellowish to whitish or with many black in apical one third++ some Iberian populations with only pale pilelength of pile on metafemur in maleone third to one fifth of width of metafemur++ in eastern populations (southern Russia to Siberia) longer, from one third to one fourth of width of metafemurcolor of knees, apex of tibiae and tarsifrom black to brown+-lateral maculae on tergum 2distinct, indistinct, to almost absent+-pile on terga 3-4 in malefrom all pale yellow to many black++ Balkans populations with more black pilemicrotrichose vittae on frons in femalefrom narrow unconnected to broad and connected near ocellar triangle+-color of pile on frons in femalealmost all black to mostly whitish+-male genitaliathe shape of surstyle and size of area covered with dense short marginal setulae on anterior surstyle lobe (Figs 1, 6)++ in eastern populations (southern Russia to Siberia) basolateral protrusion less distinct (Fig. 6G)

Wild boar (Sus scrofa), one of the most widespread wildlife species, has entered a stage of continuous growth in Europe, and could even be considered a pest species. We analysed microsatellite variability in 723 wild boars from across Europe, including the northern Dinaric Balkans. Our aims were: (1) to define the population structure of wild boars in the Balkans and its relation with other European populations; (2) to estimate effective populations sizes, levels of intra- and inter-population diversity, inbreeding migration and gene flow patterns; (3) to test subpopulations for bottlenecks; (4) to interpret these results in light of current knowledge about the demographic history of wild boars in Europe; and (5) to discuss the relevance of these findings for management and conservation. Strong population structuring was observed and 14 subpopulations were revealed. High genetic diversity was found, and besides the well-known identity of the Italian populations of Sardinia and Castelporziano, we bring new insights to other potential relevant, refugial populations such as Littoral Slovenia, South Portugal, North-western Iberia, and a whole entire cluster in the Balkans. There was evidence of gene flow going from these refugial subpopulations towards less peripheral and more admixed subpopulations. Recent population bottlenecks and expansions were detected, mostly in the peninsular refuge subpopulations. The results are consistent with the fluctuations of wild boar numbers in Europe since the beginning of the twentieth century. These results should be taken into account in future conservation and management plans for wild boar populations in Europe.

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