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Evolution of molecular interaction between host and parasite
Bílková, Barbora ; Vinkler, Michal (advisor) ; Synek, Petr (referee)
Coevolution between host and parasite is a long-term object of scientific interest, mostly because of negative influence of parasites and human need to defend against it., The evidence concerning host-parasite coevolution mechanisms is, however, still incomplete and various models and theories are considered separately, out of the general concept. Beside generally well-known theories such as the "Red queen" theory or the coevolution "arms race" theory, several other models were proposed, e.g. the "gene for gene" model or the "matching allele" model, which describe detailed aspects of host-parasite coevolution and principles of genetic variability maintenance in their interaction. Although there are many studies mapping reciprocal evolution of hosts and parasites, the connection between empirical evidence and theoretical models is often missing. Therefore, this thesis covers theory on host-parasite evolutionary interactions and provides examples of host-parasite systems and molecules, which correspond to behavior of described models.
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Characteristic population genetics features of animals with parasitic life strategy
Kodejš, Karel ; Straka, Jakub (advisor) ; Synek, Petr (referee)
Organisms with parasitic life strategy are characterized by strong bond to their hosts. Becouse of that can their population history, or more generaly their phylogeny, reflect evolutionary history of the hosts. While with morphological markers alone, coevolution can be examined only at higher, at least species level, the development of molecular techniques, especially usage of selectively neutral markers, provides deeper insight in this problematics. This thesis describes genetic markers used to investigate population dynamics, with emphasis to parasitic animals, and sumarises their advantages, limitations and possible applications. Further it describes statistical methods used in coevolutionary studies, mainly to reconstruct coevolutionary history. It describes basic statistical algorhytms to characterize rate of population subdivision. In the last part it describes parasite and host's life history features, which influence characteristics of coevolution, such as rate of host specificity, complexity of life cycle, host and parasite's mobility, which has impact to final coevolutionary pattern. Keywords: parasitism, population genetics, genetic markers, coevolution, biostatistics, microsatellites
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Avian malaria and other Haemosporidian parasites of the Scarlet Rosefinch
Synek, Petr
Avian malaria parasites and other haemosporidia in the Scarlet Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) We studied Avian malaria parasites and other Haemosporida in the Scarlet Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) using both molecular (nested PCR) and traditional microscopic techniques (blood smears) in Bohemian Forest Mountains. Bird blood samples were collected during 8 years (from 2000 to 2008). Haemosporidian parasite prevalence exceeded 61 %. 24 unique cytochrome b lineages of three heamosporidian genera (Plasmodium, Heamoproteus, and Leucocytozoon) were recorded in the host species. While the most common lineage Haemoproteus ROFI2 reached 53 % of prevalence, the other lineages were far less abundant. The prevalence slightly varied between years; however, the proportion of lineages remained almost stable in the whole studied period. We compared the methods of prevalence estimates and we found the nested PCR more efficient than investigating blood smears. We suppose that extremely low parasitemia is the main cause of the lower efficiency of the traditional detection methods. We have not found any significant effect of parasites on host characteristics (body mass, reproductive success and male ornamentation), however, the Mhc allele diversity and genetic variability measured as standardized heterozygosity at 17...
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Avian malaria parasites and their vectors
Synek, Petr ; Munclinger, Pavel (advisor) ; Hypša, Václav (referee) ; Široký, Pavel. (referee)
Parasites causing avian malaria belong to the group Haemosporida, which represents a monophyletic group of dixenic protists within Apicomplexa. Their asexual reproduction takes place in a vertebrate intermediate host, and the formation of gametes and sporogony occur in blood-sucking dipteran insects, which are the definitive hosts of these parasites. Three main genera (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon) are found mostly in their avian hosts. We focused on the Haemosporida of wild birds and their transmission by insect vectors in natural populations, which had previously been a neglected area. Our results were obtained both by traditional methods (investigation of infections by microscopy of blood smears) and mainly by molecular methods (e.g. nested PCR) centered around work with unique haplotypes of the haemosporid lineages. The aim of our work was to determine the range of possible insect vectors of avian haemosporidians in the territory of the Czech Republic, taking into account the specificity of the parasites within these vectors, and to describe the diversity of haemosporidians in the populations of their bird intermediate hosts. We chose four different species of birds from four orders (Passeriformes, Strigiformes, Accipitriformes, and Galliformes). As potential vectors of avian...
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Characteristic population genetics features of animals with parasitic life strategy
Kodejš, Karel ; Straka, Jakub (advisor) ; Synek, Petr (referee)
Organisms with parasitic life strategy are characterized by strong bond to their hosts. Becouse of that can their population history, or more generaly their phylogeny, reflect evolutionary history of the hosts. While with morphological markers alone, coevolution can be examined only at higher, at least species level, the development of molecular techniques, especially usage of selectively neutral markers, provides deeper insight in this problematics. This thesis describes genetic markers used to investigate population dynamics, with emphasis to parasitic animals, and sumarises their advantages, limitations and possible applications. Further it describes statistical methods used in coevolutionary studies, mainly to reconstruct coevolutionary history. It describes basic statistical algorhytms to characterize rate of population subdivision. In the last part it describes parasite and host's life history features, which influence characteristics of coevolution, such as rate of host specificity, complexity of life cycle, host and parasite's mobility, which has impact to final coevolutionary pattern. Keywords: parasitism, population genetics, genetic markers, coevolution, biostatistics, microsatellites
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Avian malaria and other Haemosporidian parasites of the Scarlet Rosefinch
Synek, Petr
Avian malaria parasites and other haemosporidia in the Scarlet Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) We studied Avian malaria parasites and other Haemosporida in the Scarlet Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) using both molecular (nested PCR) and traditional microscopic techniques (blood smears) in Bohemian Forest Mountains. Bird blood samples were collected during 8 years (from 2000 to 2008). Haemosporidian parasite prevalence exceeded 61 %. 24 unique cytochrome b lineages of three heamosporidian genera (Plasmodium, Heamoproteus, and Leucocytozoon) were recorded in the host species. While the most common lineage Haemoproteus ROFI2 reached 53 % of prevalence, the other lineages were far less abundant. The prevalence slightly varied between years; however, the proportion of lineages remained almost stable in the whole studied period. We compared the methods of prevalence estimates and we found the nested PCR more efficient than investigating blood smears. We suppose that extremely low parasitemia is the main cause of the lower efficiency of the traditional detection methods. We have not found any significant effect of parasites on host characteristics (body mass, reproductive success and male ornamentation), however, the Mhc allele diversity and genetic variability measured as standardized heterozygosity at 17...
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Inventory of woody plants in part area of Červený vrch in Prague and elaboration of the digital map of this selected area
Synek, Petr ; Kunt, Miroslav (advisor) ; Prokeš, Radek (referee)
This bachelor thesis is dealing with practical inventory of part of the housing estate Červený vrch in the city district Prague 6. It uses inventory methods according to Machovec (1982). For each of the tree species the precise species determination has been carried out, dendrometric data were measured, landscape value of trees were assessed and its exact location was entered into digital map in AutoCAD.
The literature search initially covers the history of gardens and garden styles. More specifically it deals with the history of the oldest garden styles, medieval gardens and the current form of gardens. Next chapter discusses the use of woody plants in landscape creation according to terms of their classification and assortment. It is followed by an analysis of the importance of urban greenery and various types of urban greenery.
Bachelor thesis contains a brief analysis of the natural characteristics of the target area.
In the second half of this thesis there are complete inventory tables and their detailed graphical analysis.
Strengths and weaknesses of the used method of inventorying are listed in the discussion in comparison with the alternative method of classification of woody vegetation elements according to Pejchal (2008).
The obtained digital map together with the inventory tables and photo documentation are placed on mapserver.
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Evolution of molecular interaction between host and parasite
Bílková, Barbora ; Vinkler, Michal (advisor) ; Synek, Petr (referee)
Coevolution between host and parasite is a long-term object of scientific interest, mostly because of negative influence of parasites and human need to defend against it., The evidence concerning host-parasite coevolution mechanisms is, however, still incomplete and various models and theories are considered separately, out of the general concept. Beside generally well-known theories such as the "Red queen" theory or the coevolution "arms race" theory, several other models were proposed, e.g. the "gene for gene" model or the "matching allele" model, which describe detailed aspects of host-parasite coevolution and principles of genetic variability maintenance in their interaction. Although there are many studies mapping reciprocal evolution of hosts and parasites, the connection between empirical evidence and theoretical models is often missing. Therefore, this thesis covers theory on host-parasite evolutionary interactions and provides examples of host-parasite systems and molecules, which correspond to behavior of described models.
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