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Synurbanization in wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) and Eurasian magpie (Pica pica)
Tesařík, Jáchym ; Lučan, Radek (advisor) ; Hořák, David (referee)
Both Eurasian magpie and Wood pigeon are typical synanthropic bird species. By studying the available sources, I found that during their synurbanisation, both species have undergone several changes that have facilitated their transition from rural to urban habitats. Due to their adaptability, they have no problems colonizing urban environment and have managed to occupy new and diverse range of nest sites. Thanks to synurbanisation, both Magpie and Wood Pigeon have been able to expand their range and increase their overall abundance. Possibly the biggest threat to urban populations of both species is nest predation, which locally leads to declining population trends and reduced breeding success. Because of predation pressure and the adaptability of both species, I think we can expect not only an increase in abundance and population density in their urban population in the future, but also the occupation of new and more diverse nesting habitats in closer proximity to human settlements.
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The role of commensalism on vertical activity in exploration tests: a comparison of 12 populations of the genus Acomys
Štolhoferová, Iveta ; Frynta, Daniel (advisor) ; Špinka, Marek (referee)
The objective of this work was to investigate whether there are differences between commensal and non-commensal populations of spiny mice (Acomys spp.). There is a good evidence that some populations of Acomys cahirinus have been commensal since the time of ancient Egypt, that is for at least 3,500 years. Therefore, it could be expected that some adaptation for a commensal way of life have evolved. To find out, I tested twelve populations of spiny mice in two types of open field test - a vertical test and a hole board test. In the vertical test, a wire mesh was added and offered to spiny mice to climb on. Since human settlements represent an environment with a new predation pressure as well as new hiding opportunities like those in heights above the ground, I hypothesized that commensal populations of A. cahirinus would (1) explore less on the ground and (2) prefer to spend more time on the wire mesh than the non-commensal populations. Results supported the first hypothesis as in both tests commensal spiny mice spent less time exploring on the ground than other populations. The second hypothesis, however, was not supported - all populations showed approximately equal interest in the wire mesh and commensal spiny mice did not spend more time on it compared to the others. Nevertheless, an overall...
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Effect of synurbanization on bird populations
Zeman, Vít ; Lučan, Radek (advisor) ; Šálek, Martin (referee)
Currently we can observe the expansion of human environment to the countryside all around the world. As the needs of man for space grow, so do the cities and urban environments expand. Ever more types of organisms are adapting to this environment, which allows us to record the changes that appear, either on the population or on the individual level. This Bachelor thesis is trying to summarize the existing knowledge of the effect of urbanization, and related synurbanization, on popualtions of birds, in the form of a literary research. This being an extensive topic, the thesis is focused on specific details, concerning primarily differences in population density, nesting success, condition of the birds, and predation pressure in urban and natural communities. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
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