Sven Horvatić
Since my graduation, I've been investigating the mysterious world of fish bioacoustics. I am fascinated by animal sounds and their acoustic diversity, and I hope to devote my scientific career to understanding how and why animals interact acoustically.
Bio
I study the sound production, ethology, phylogeny, and ecology of freshwater and marine fishes. So far, my scientific curiosity has been piqued by the investigation of acoustic communication in Danube basin of Ponto-Caspian gobies. Since starting postgraduate (PhD) studies, my main research goal has been to figure out how genetic and acoustic divergences in vocal gobies are linked. At the Faculty of Science, I held the roles of Junior Researcher (2016–2017) and Expert Associate (2017–present) (University of Zagreb). As a teaching assistant, I help in classes involving vertebrate biology and ichthyology for students in undergraduate and master's degree programs.
About Me
I am a research scientist with a Ph.D. who focuses on the ecology and behaviour of endemic fishes (including sounds). My thesis focused on the phylogenetic characteristics of European gobies' auditory ability. During my academic education, I have participated in ERASMUS and Ph.D. student mobility programs and internships (2014 in Venice, Italy, and 2019, Liege, Belgium), which provided me with the opportunity to adapt to the multicultural and international working environment. I am a motivated and hard-working researcher, who questions everything and relies on a strictly empirical approach. In addition, I possess good presentation and analytical skills combined with deductive reasoning, which were developed through my teaching experience, student consulting and extensive field surveys.
Education
2015-2021
Doctoral study of Biology
Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia
After enrolling in Zoology, I got interested in fish acoustic communication, especially the sound creation and acoustic behavior of freshwater and marine gobies (Gobioidei; Gobiiformes). I've got the opportunity to undertake research on gobies bioacoustics for my Ph.D. thesis. My doctoral studies in biology (thesis title: Acoustic characteristics and phylogenetic relationships of gobies from the family Gobiidae (Teleostei; Gobiiformes)) at alma mater were successfully completed in 2021 when I successfully defended the Ph.D. thesis (thesis title: Acoustic characteristics and phylogenetic relationships of gobies from the family Gobiidae (Teleostei; Gobiiformes) under Davor Zanella Ph.D. supervision. In the Ph.D. thesis, the sound generation of invasive Ponto-Caspian gobies (Perccottus glenii, Ponticola kessleri, Neogobius fluviatilis, and Neogobius melanostomus) was researched, with an emphasis on sonic apparatus, acoustic phylogeny, and acoustic phylogeny.
2013-2015
Undergraduate study of Environmental studies
Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia
As a part of grad study in Experimental biology (course Zoology), I engaged in research project dealing with numerous animal groups and their protection.
I learned a lot about species concepts, animal ecology, manipulation, fixation, GIS data analysis, etc. as part of my graduate studies with a focus on their protection.
2010-2013
Undergraduate study of Environmental studies
Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Biology, geology, and geography made up the three sections of my tripartite undergraduate education.
I got the chance to acquire a lot of new information about environmental monitoring projects while I was studying, and I used the tools and methods at my disposal to thoroughly comprehend and research some of the most recent environmental issues (climate changes, floods, etc.).
Work experience
2017 - present
Expert Associate
2016 - 2017
Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Department of Biology, Croatia
Assistant - Research fellow
Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Department of Biology, Croatia
My scientific activities
Acoustics of Ponto-Caspian gobies
2014 - present
Ponto-Caspian gobies are a genus of freshwater and brackish fish native to the Black and Caspian Seas. They are currently expanding their upstream range along the Danube drainage, which is why many EU countries consider them invasive. Because these species are known to be vocal (i.e. make noises during social interactions), the major goal of this study was to record the sounds of invasive Neogobius species (N. fluviatilis and N. melanostomus) and Ponticola kessleri using a passive acoustic test. According to preliminary findings, their sounds are species-specific, allowing for phylogenetic isolation from the rest of the European Gobius-lineage gobies (Zosterisessor, Padogobius, Gobius).
Molecular phylogeny of the vocal Gobius-lineage gobies
2017 - present
Many studies show that acoustic divergence among related vocal animals is often followed by molecular phylogeny. Based on multilocus data, we reconstructed the phylogenetic tree(s) and computed the genetic distance amongst researched gobies by inferring evolutionary relationships between vocal gobiids (Gobius lineage). The observed association between the acoustic and genetic matrices emphasizes the fact that goby sounds are species-specific and that both auditory and genetic divergences follow the same pattern, implying phylogenetic signal. Future research should focus on the mechanisms of divergence in greater depth.
Research on freshwater fishes
2014 - present
Through scientific initiatives and national monitoring programs, I am conducting ichthyological field surveys of Croatian freshwater ecosystems. The study includes fish sampling with electrofishing devices and nets, fish field determination, and fixation for future laboratory investigation in both the Danube and Adriatic watersheds. I participated in three overseas field trips during this time, to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, and Belgium.
Teaching activities
2016 - present
Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Department of Biology, Division of Zoology, Croatia
2016 – present: Teaching assistant (practicum and field classes); norm hours of teaching activities (170 – 406,5 h./academic year)
Undergraduate courses:
2018./2019. – present; Vertebrates (PDB) - Practicum (sum = 369 h.)
2016./2017. – present, Vertebrates (IPDBK) - Practicum (sum = 219 h.)
2016./2017. – 2017./2018., Vertebrates (ZOOK) - Practicum (sum = 180 h.)
2016./2017., 2018./2019.; Zoology 3 (MB) - Practicum (sum = 90 h.)
2016./2017 – 2019./2020.; Field Course (PDB) - Field class (sum = 262,8 h.)
2021./2022 – present
2016./2017; Field Course in Biological, Geographical and Geological Environmental Protection (ZOOK) - Field class (sum = 230 h.)
2018./2019. – present,
2016./2017. – 2018./2019., Field Course in Systematic Botany and Vertebrates (IPDBK) - Field class (sum = 133,6 h.)
Graduate courses:
2019./2020. – present, Freshwater Ichthyology and Fisheries - Practicum (sum = 60 h.)
Results of student polls
(0.0 - worst rating, 5.0 - best rating)
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Vertebrates: 4.90
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Field Course in Biological, Geographical and Geological Environmental Protectionb: 4.87
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Zoology 3c: 4.61
a2021./2022.; b2020./2021; c2016./2017.
Authorships
I authored and co-authorer :
- 21 original scientific papers (7 first author)
- 18 conference abstracts (poster and oral presentations)
- 20 project and applied reports
Scientific publications
2021
2023
Endemic fish calling: Acoustics and reproductive behaviour of the Neretva dwarf goby Orsinigobius croaticus
Horvatić, S., Parmentier, E., Malavasi, S., Amorim, M. P. C., Fonseca, P. J., & Zanella, D.
2023
The Ichthyofauna of the Bednja River, Ichthyological ‘Hot Spot’ in the Danube Basin—Exceptional Diversity under Strong Threats
Buj, I., Pleše, S., Onorato, L., Marčić, Z., Mustafić, P., Zanella, D., Ćaleta, M., Ivić, L., Novoselec, L., Renić, N., Horvatić, S., Karlović, R., Tvrdinić, G.
2022
Early Development of the Endemic Delminichthys krbavensis (Leuciscidae, Cypriniformes) from a Karstic Field in Croatia
Marčić, Z., Jerković, A., Ćaleta, M., Buj, I., Zanella, D., Horvatić, S., Mustafić, P.
2022
First report of the Chinese sleeper Perccottus glenii Dybowski, 1877 in the Drava River, Croatia
Horvatić, S., Zanella, D., Marčić, Z., Mustafić, P., Buj, B., Onorato, O., Ivić, L., Karlović, K., Ćaleta, M.
2021
Correlation between acoustic divergence and phylogenetic distance in soniferous European gobiids (Gobiidae; Gobius lineage)
Horvatić, S., Malavasi, Vukić, J., Šanda, R., Marčić, Z., Ćaleta, M., Lorenzoni, M., Mustafić, P., Buj, I., Onorato, L., Ivić, L., Cavraro, F., Zanella, D.
2021
Phylogeographic pattern, genetic diversity, and evolutionary history of the enigmatic freshwater fish species Aulopyge huegelii (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae)
Buj, I., Knjaz, M., Ćaleta, M., Marčić, Z., Ivić, L., Onorato, L., Šanda, R., Vukić, J., Horvatić, S., Zanella, D., & Mustafić, P.
2021
2020
Freshwater gobies (Gobiidae) of Bosnia and Herzegovina: a review of the current status and distribution.
Tutman, P., Zanella, D., Horvatić, S., Hamzić, A., Adrović, A., Dulčić, J., Glamuzina, B. Journal of Vertebrate Biology. 69 (2020), 4; 1-15
2020
Has the racer goby Babka gymnotrachelus (Kessler, 1857) failed to invade the Danube tributaries, the Sava and Drava Rivers?
Piria, M., Zanella, D., Marčić, Z., Ćaleta, M., Horvatić, S., Jakšić, G., Buj, I., Paunović, M., Simonović, P., Mustafić, P. In press
2020
Plitvice Lakes National park harbors ancient, yet endangered diversity of trout (genus Salmo).
Buj, I., Raguž, L., Marčić, Z., Ćaleta, M., Duplić, A., Zanella, D., Mustafić, P., Ivić, L., Horvatić, S., Karlović R. Journal of Applied Ichthyology. 2021; 37:20–37
2020
Early development of the endemic dace Telestes karsticus (Leuciscidae, Cypriniformes) in a Dinaric karst stream in Croatia.
Marčić, Z., Abramović, A., Ćaleta, M., Buj, I., Zanella, D., Horvatić, S., Mustafić, P. Journal of applied ichthyology. (2020) 2017; 33: 203–208
2020
Multilocus phylogenetic analysis helps to untangle the taxonomic puzzle of chubs (genus Squalius: Cypriniformes: Actinopteri) in the Adriatic basin of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Buj, I., Marčić, Z., Čavlović, K., Ćaleta, M., Tutman, P., Zanella, D., Duplić, Al., Raguž, L., Ivić, L., Horvatić, S., Mustafić, P. Zoological Journal of the Linnaean Society. 189 (2020) 3; 953-974.
2020
Peculiar occurrence of Cobitis bilineata Canestrini, 1865 and Sabanejewia larvata (De Filippi, 1859) (Cobitidae, Actinopteri) in the Danube River basin in Croatia.
Buj, I, Mustafić, P., Ćaleta, M., Marčić, Z., Ivić, L., Žalac, S., Zanella, D., Karlović, R., Horvatić, S., Raguž, L. Fundamental and Applied Limnology. (2020) 194/3 (2021), 201–213
2019
A review of extant croatian freshwater fish and lampreys, Annotated list and distribution
Ćaleta, M., Marčić, Z., Buj, I., Zanella, D., Mustafić, P., Duplić, A., Horvatić, S. Croatian Journal of Fisheries. (2019) 77; 137-234.
2019
Comparative analysis of sound production between the bighead goby Ponticola kessleri and the round goby Neogobius melanostomus: implications for phylogeny and systematics.
Horvatić, S., Bem, L., Malavasi, S., Marčić, Z., Buj, I., Mustafić, P., Ćaleta, M., Zanella, D. Environmental Biology of Fishes. 102 (2019), 5; 1-13.
2019
Acoustic communication during reproduction in the basal gobioid Amur sleeper and the putative sound production mechanism.
Horvatić, S., Malavasi, S., Parmentier, E., Marčić, Z., Buj, I., Mustafić, P., Ćaleta, M., Smederevac-Lalić, M., Skorić, S. i Zanella, D. Journal of Zoology. 309 (2019), 4; 269-279.
2017
Early development of the freshwater goby Orsinogobius croaticus endemic to Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Zanella, D.; Marčić, Z.; Ćaleta, M.; Buj, I.; Zrnčić, S.; Horvatić, S.; Mustafić, P. Cybium. 41 (2017), 4; 335-342.
2017
Threatened Fishes of the World: Orsinogobius croaticus (Mrakovčić, Kerovec, Mišetić and Schneider, 1996) (Teleostei: Gobiidae).
Horvatić, S., Marčić, Z., Mrakovčić, M., Mustafić, P., Buj, I., Ćaleta, M., Zanella, D. Ribarstvo. 75 (2017), 1; 23-30.
2017
Morphological comparison of Delminichthys ghetaldii (Steindachner, 1882), D. adspersus (Heckel, 1843), D. jadovensis (Zupančič & Bogutskaya, 2002) and D. krbavensis (Zupančič & Bogutskaya, 2002), endemic species of the Dinaric karst, Croatia.
Mustafić, P., Buj, I., Opašić, M., Zanella, D., Marčić, Z., Ćaleta, M., Šanda, R., Horvatić, S., Mrakovčić, M. Journal of Applied Ichthyology. 33 (2017), 2; 256-262.
2016
Sound production in the Ponto-Caspian goby Neogobius fluviatilis and acoustic affinities within the Gobius lineage: implications for phylogeny.
Horvatić, S., Cavraro, F., Zanella, D., Malavas, S. Biological Journal of the Linnaean Society. 117 (2016), 3; 564-573.
Projects
Research and optimization of ichthyocenosis of Butoniga Reservoir for the purpose of reducing the trophic level
2016 - present
Monitoring project of Croatian freshwater ichthyofauna (zone E – Adriatic)
2016 - present
Biological study of surface water of the hydropower systems Varaždin, Čakovec and Dubrava
2016 - present
ADRICOR - Impact of climate change on coral biodiversity - research of mass mortality events in the Adriatic Sea
2020 - 2024
Stručna podloga za Plan upravljanja (s akcijskim planom) za vrste roda Salmo
2017 - 2019
Usluga izrade stručne podloge – svijetlica i kapelska svijetlica u sklopu projekta „Izrada prijedloga Planova upravljanja strogo zaštićenim vrstama (s akcijskim planovima)“
2018 - 2019
Obnova populacije potočne pastrve
2020 - 2024
Presentations and talks
Gobies caught during field trips
Collaborations
List of my collaborators:
- Prof. dr. sc. Stefano Malavasi, Università Ca’ Foscari di Venezia
- Dr. Francesco Cavraro, Università Ca’ Foscari di Venezia
- Prof. Massimo lorenzoni, Università degli Studi di Perugia
- Prof. dr. sc. Eric Parmentier, University of Liège
- Prof. Clara Amorim, University of Lisbon
- Prof. Paulo Fonseca, University of Lisbon
- Dr. Jasna Vukić, Charles University in Prague
- Dr. Radek Šanda, National Museum, Prague
- Dr. Marija Smederevac-Lalić, University of Belgrade
- Dr. Stefan Skorić, University of Belgrade
- Dr. Marina Piria, University of Zagreb
- Dr. Pero Tutman, Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries
- Prof. Rick Cunjak, University of New Brunswick
- Dr. Brian Hayden, University of New Brunswick
- Dr. Igor Erjavec, University of Zagreb
Contact Me
Ravnice 48, 10000, Zagreb
+385(0)1 4877 712
