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Evolution of endemism of mountain animal species
Švihálková, Tereza ; Munclinger, Pavel (advisor) ; Hořák, David (referee)
The mountain islands, isolated habitats surrounded by a distinct lowland environment, are home to a variety of endemic animal species. These hot-spots of biodiversity and endemism can be found mainly in tropical areas. Thus, the occurrence of endemics partially corresponds to the general macro-ecological rules of biogeography. For a more specific explanation of the origin and evolution of mountain animal species, we usually proceed from two theories - vicariate and dispersion. The validity of these theories varies in relation to taxon, locality, and evolutionary past, so it is difficult to generalize them globally. This bachelor thesis summarizes the prerequisites for the occurrence of endemic species and knowledge from some world- important mountain localities with a large number of endemic animals.
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Mountains as islands
Kačabová, Petra ; Storch, David (advisor) ; Ferenc, Michal (referee)
In this paper I deal with island biogeography and its applicability to isolated mountaintops, as an ecological equivalent of true islands. I discuss both true and mountain islands regarding their origin and the influence of long-term climate evolution on Earth. I underline some features of mountain islands, resulting from their topography and the dissimilarities of both types of island barriers. I find that mountain and true island communities might or might not have a number of species in a state of equilibrium, caused by balance between species immigration on island and their extinction. If the number of species on island is not in equilibrium, species extinction is not balanced by species immigration. I consider patterns of island communities, mainly nestedness, which has been frequently studied on mountain, as well as true islands. I discuss distribution patterns concerning invertebrates. And finally, I concentrate on recent methods of moutain island research and discuss mountain island isolation issues in terms of global warming.
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