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Insects as a model group of organisms for the research of knowledge about and attitudes to invertebrate animals
Jelínek, Filip ; Mourek, Jan (advisor) ; Janšta, Petr (referee)
This thesis is a literature review that aims to process the available literature on attitudes towards insects, knowledge about insects and the ways in which the perception of insects by humans can be influenced. In the chapters focused on attitudes towards insects, I show how the emotions of disgust and fear lead to negative views of insects and, conversely, how the perception of their beauty and importance promotes positive views of insects. In the knowledge section, I show how people confuse true information about insects with myths, inaccurately distinguishing between what is an insect and what is not, which insects are dangerous and which are not. In the last chapters, I present the literature that deals with the ways in which attitudes towards insects and knowledge about insects can be influenced. I deal with the effect of urbanization, experiential educational programs and the picture of insects in human culture, namely in language, poetry, fictional literature and fine arts
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Evolution of telomeric motif in arthropods
Vadovičová, Kristýna ; Forman, Martin (advisor) ; Sadílek, David (referee)
In contrast to other eukaryotes, the telomeres of Arthropoda, the most diversified phylum, are composed of a specific motif (TTAGG)n. The presence of this sequence is conserved within the phylum, yet alternative sequences derived from the ancestral have evolved. Diversity of short motifs has been found especially in the orders Coleoptera, Hymenoptera and Hemiptera. In addition, TRAS and SART retroelements transpose between telomeric sequences in many representatives of different orders. In arthropods, there are still numerous groups whose telomeres do not contain the (TTAGG)n motif, but alternatives have not been proposed yet. One of them is the order Araneae (spiders), as well as some orders of insects.An interesting exception is the order Diptera, where a telomerase-independent telomere elongation mechanism has evolved. The genera Anopheles and Chironomus have telomeres composed of long repeats (up to 350 bp). Drosophila melanogaster relies on a mechanism based on transposition of the telomere-specific retroelements HeT-A, TART and TAHRE. The diversity of telomeric repeats in Diptera can be considerable even in closely related species, which may complicate the identification of novel telomeric sequences in unstudied species. Key words Drosophila, insects, retroelements, telomere, (TTAGG)n
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Visual orientation of dragonflies - using polarized light
Kalavská, Tereza ; Černý, Martin (advisor) ; Kolář, Vojtěch (referee)
Polarized light is a physical phenomenon that is quite common in the nature. It has been known for a long time that some animals use such kind of light for various purposes in their lives. This group also includes dragonflies, which use horizontally polarized light to detect areas of water where mating and egg-laying takes place. The aim of this bachelor's thesis is to summarize the current knowledge of the visual orientation of dragonflies in space using polarized light. In my thesis, I focus on habitat selection and in which spectrum range dragonflies can perceive polarized light. Furthermore, I focus on the area of perception of polarized light by dragonfly larvae in the aquatic environment, which has not been properly researched yet as there are very few studies. Key words: orientation, insects, dragonflies, visual, polarized light, habitat selection
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Determination of basic nutritional parameters in edible insects
Korček, Jakub ; Štursa, Václav (referee) ; Diviš, Pavel (advisor)
In this bachelor thesis is dicussed nutritional value of chosen insect species. Analysed samples consisted of worms, crickets and locusts. Analysed parameters were: total nitrogen, crude protein, total lipids and content of chosen elements. Total lipids were, after homogenization, determined by Soxhlet method, using diethyl ether as a solvent. Prior to protein and element determination, samples did undergo Kjehldal digestion process, using sulfuric acid. Weiniger catalyst was only added to samples digested for protein measurement. Element content was determined by optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES). Crude protein was determined by Kjeldahl method. The highest protein content was determined in crickets. (75 ± 5) %. Locusts contained the highest lipid content (33 ± 2) %. We also found out, that samples were rich in calcium, potassium, manganese and zinc, which are all important elements for the proper functioning of our body. The results of this thesis prove, that insects can present nutritionally important food.
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Beetle armour
Polášková, Lucie ; Ryška, Pavel (referee) ; Vaněk, Vojtěch (advisor)
The bachelor's thesis deals with the creation of an author's accordion book, examining the relationship between textual and pictorial communication of information. The narrative is thematically set in the stylized realm of insects, where it works with the metaphor of the exoskeleton of the beetle as a portable armor, architecture, or outline. The fictional story deals with the life cycle of a beetle. He wonders how beetles are born and how do they leave the world? The aim of my bachelor thesis is the realization of an atypical prototype of an accordion book, which is located on the border of a building kit, a toy and a book. The realization of the prototype will use traditional techniques, including digitization and image post-production.
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Cryptids
Dvořáková, Dana ; Turek, Filip (referee) ; Sterec, Pavel (advisor)
Cryptids, video which is studying animals, its shapes, moves and the environment , where they find themselves. The video is looking equal to all entity without any difference, document varied life as same as passing death or rot as well. It also speaks about collaboration and the microworld, which creates perfect unit. Silent mutual conversations.
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Retence živin u drůbeže při zkrmování diet s podílem moučky z larev potemníka moučného
Kudlová, Lenka
The aim of this diploma thesis is, if the inclusion of 20 and 50 g/kg mealworm meal (TML) in diets for poultry has an effect on nutrient retention, gastrointestinal morphometry and digesta viscosity. Furthermore, a digesta microbiology of laying hens and biochemical blood parameters of broilers were monitored. The collected samples were subjected to laboratory analysis to determine the nutrient retention, gastrointestinal morphometry, digesta viscosity, digesta microbiology and biochemical analysis of blood. The nitrogen retention was not affected by mealworm meal in broilers (p > 0.05). The nitrogen retention was the highest in the control group in laying hens (p < 0.05). A lower width and height and the highest muscle height of the gizzard, but a longer colon, (p < 0.05) were found in control group of laying hens compared to the experimental groups. No differences (p > 0.05) were found in the villi height of the ileum. The digesta viscosity in broilers was not affected by (p > 0.05) experimental diets. The highest value of digesta viscosity in laying hens was found in the group with inclusion 50 g/kg TML (p < 0.05). No differences (p > 0.05) were found in the microbiology of the digesta between the compared groups of laying hens. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in biochemical blood parameters were found in the concentrations of ALT, total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, glucose and α-1 globulin between control and experimental groups of broilers.
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Butterfly thermoregulation across habitats and climates
LAIRD-HOPKINS, Benita Carmen
Global warming, through rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns, is placing major stress on species and ecosystems. Understanding how species respond to temperature and the mechanisms underpinning thermoregulation can help us predict which species are most vulnerable in the face of warming. In this thesis, I explore how butterflies across different habitats and climates thermoregulate and the mechanisms, including morphology and behaviour, underlaying thermoregulatory ability. Firstly, when comparing the buffering ability of neotropical and temperate butterflies I found that tropical butterflies were able to maintain more stable body temperatures than temperate butterflies, and this was likely driven by their morphology. I also found that temperate butterflies used postural means to raise their body temperature more than neotropical species, likely an adaptation to the cooler air temperatures they experience. Secondly, I showed the importance of butterflies' thermoregulatory abilities at the community level, by comparing thermoregulation of European butterflies across geographic regions and climatic zones. This study highlighted that behavioural thermoregulation, including the use of microclimates and postural means, drives regional differences in butterflies' thermoregulatory abilities. Finally, I utilised the Müllerian mimicry exhibited in Heliconius butterflies to untangle the contributions of morphology and phylogeny in butterfly thermoregulation, investigating thermal traits, including buffering ability, take-off temperature and heating rate. I found that morphology, not phylogeny, was the main driver of thermoregulation in these butterflies. Further, I investigated differences in the thermoregulatory ability of Heliconius butterflies from different habitats. I found that species from colder habitats were able to maintain a more stable body temperature and took off at a lower temperature than those from hotter habitats, suggesting there is local adaptation or acclimation in thermal traits. Overall, this work highlights that species have their own unique thermoregulatory abilities, as a result of the thermal environment they experience, and that thermoregulation is driven by morphology, behaviour and physiology. My findings have important consequences for predicting the impacts of climate change on ectotherms, by highlighting variation in thermal ability which makes some populations and species more vulnerable, while others more resilient. This thesis lays the groundwork for future studies comparing species' thermal traits across climates and habitats, increasing our understanding of how species cope with climate and land-use change.
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