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Sexual promiscuity, cryptic female choice and the biology of passerine sperm
Míčková, Kristýna ; Albrecht, Tomáš (advisor) ; Vrbacký, Marek (referee) ; Krist, Miloš (referee)
The discovery of postcopulatory mechanisms of mate choice has fundamentally altered our understanding of sexual selection. Passerines are an ideal group for studying two basic mechanisms of postcopulatory sexual selection, sperm competition and cryptic female choice. This doctoral thesis focuses on postcopulatory sexual selection in passerines from three different angles. In this study, we investigated (1) age-related changes in traits that can affect male reproductive success (sperm morphology, velocity and production) and a trade-off between these traits and lifespan in male barn swallows (Hirundo rustica); (2) variation in seminal fluid and sperm proteins in six selected passerine species and whether these differences are caused by phylogeny or postcopulatory sexual selection; and (3) the protein composition of female barn swallow cloacal fluids in four phases of the reproductive season, changes in protein composition in individual phases, and identification of phase-specific proteins. Our results show that there is no unified trend for changes in sperm traits or sperm production across male lifespan. While sperm morphology and velocity do not change considerably, sperm production increases in first years of life. However, excessive investment in sperm production could reduce the male's chances...
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Postcopulatory sexual selection on phenotypic traits in European barn swallows
Míčková, Kristýna ; Albrecht, Tomáš (advisor) ; Svobodová, Jana (referee)
Sperm phenotype is an essential indicator of the male ejaculate quality and may have a significant impact on male reproductive success. Sperm phenotypes are considerably variable across species but variation is also found among males within species. This thesis examines (1) variation in sperm phenotypes among males in barn swallows (Hirundo rustica), (2) changes in male ejaculate quality with age, (3) relationships between sperm morphology and motility, (4) effects of sperm phenotypes (morphology and motility) on male fertilization success, using a large dataset of 174 observation for 130 males, and (5) the influence of female reproductive environment on sperm motility. From the tested variables, only midpiece length correlated with male age. Older males had shorter midpiece but no relationship between male age and reproductive success was found. Sperm length negatively affected sperm motility and, simultaneosly, relative midpiece length posively correlated with sperm motility. No correlation was found between the male reproductive success and sperm motility, presence of abnormalities, length of outermost tail feathers or age. Males with shorter relative midpiece were more successful in within-pair paternity, and males with shorter sperms but longer relative midpiece were more successful in...
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The utilization of "doubly labelled water" method in studies of avian ecology
Míčková, Kristýna ; Albrecht, Tomáš (advisor) ; Kubička, Lukáš (referee)
Doubly labelled water method is used to estimate CO2 production and energy expenditure. The method is based on the application of water containing rare hydrogen and oxygen isotopes, and estimation of the difference in elimination of these isotopes from the body (used as an indirect estimate of CO2 production), which is measured mostly from two blood samples taken over a defined time interval (usually 24 hours). Here I summarize the assumptions and methodological approaches associated with the use of the doubly labelled water method in bird studies. Studies on birds typically evaluate energy expenditure associated with prasitic infections and immune response, ageing, investments into the reproduction, flight and migration, ornamentation. In comparison with other methods doubly labelled water is appropriate for measurement of energy expenditure associated with various aspects of biology in targeted individuals. Key words: Doubly labelled water, energy expenditure, metabolism, birds, reproductive investments, flight costs
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