|
Phylogeny and diversity of harvestmen suborder Laniatores
Marešová, Alexandra ; Hiřman, Matyáš (advisor) ; Dolejš, Petr (referee)
This bachelor thesis summarizes the general knowledge about phylogenesis, diversity and distribution of harvestmen from the suborder Laniatores. Until recently, phylogenetic relationships of this suborder were very few studied, but thanks to a recent studies they are still improving. The suborder Laniatores now includes 41 families, which are divided into ten superfamilies. An overview of distribution of individual families of the suborder Laniatores is also given in this work and so are factors influencing it. From abiotic factors there is humidity, temperature, climate, and altitude. Among biotic factors, the distribution may be influenced by the type of vegetation or by the human, where it is mainly the introduction of invasive species. The greatest emphasis is placed on morphological differences between individual families. The biggest differences can be observed on their bodies, especially in the form of different numbers and types of sclerotized protrusions. Keywords: harvestmen, Laniatores, phylogenesis, biogeography, biodiversity, morphology
|
|
Raphidiopsis raciborskii - the main producer of cylindrospermopsin
Těšínská, Pavlína ; Němcová, Yvonne (advisor) ; Pichrtová, Martina (referee)
Raphidiopsis raciborskii is a globally widespread bloom producing cyanobacteria that has been observed more frequently in temperate freshwater locations in previous twenty years, which is a considerable expansion regarding its original occurrence in tropical regions. The ability to produce health-threatening toxins, cylindrospermopsin (CYN) and saxitoxin, places this species to the centre of scientific research. The goal of this bachelor's thesis is to sum up the current knowledge on Raphidiopsis raciborskii, concerning mainly its ecology and phytogeography, and also to provide information about cyanotoxin cylindrospermopsin, which can be produced by R. raciborskii and also by other cyanobacteria species. Regarding cylindrospermopsin, I mainly focused on the chemical structure of the molecule, its biosynthesis, toxicity, methods of CYN detection and removal from drinking water.
|
|
Phylogeography of the Bunopus geckos (Squamata, Gekkonidae) in the Arabian Peninsula
Pola, Lukáš ; Šmíd, Jiří (advisor) ; Rehák, Ivan (referee)
The Arabian Peninsula represents a bridge between three continents and two major zoogeographic regions, the Palearctic and Afrotropical (Ethiopian). It is well known for its richness and endemicity not only among geckos, but among squamate reptiles in general. Besides impressive endemic species located in the mountains, there are some, widely distributed across the entire Arabian Peninsula (pan-arabian distribution) and in terms of research they remain neglected. Among Arabian geckos, the genus Bunopus are an excellent example, whose systematics and taxonomy are quite problematic, albeit they are distributed across the entire peninsula. In order to answer the question of possible cryptic diversity of these geckos in the Arabian Peninsula, phylogenetic position of more than 80 samples covering the vast part of their distribution range has been reconstructed based on two mitochondrial (12S rRNA and COI) and two nuclear markers (RAG2 and c-mos). Haplotype networks were reconstructed from nuclear markers in order to show genealogical relationships. Results of the phylogenetic analyses presented herein show that cryptic diversity in the Arabian Peninsula is smaller in comparison to the one that was uncovered in the Iranian Plateau. Almost entire Arabian Peninsula is inhabited by two lineages only, which...
|
|
Ecology and Taxonomy of limno-terrestrial diatoms from East Antarctica.
Bishop, Jordan ; Kopalová, Kateřina (advisor) ; Hutňan Chattová, Barbora (referee) ; Jüttner, Ingrid (referee)
Diatoms are single-celled photosynthetic eukaryotes that substantially contribute to global primary productivity. They are also among the most diverse groups of organisms in Antarctica. Biogeographically, Antarctica is divided into three distinct regions including the Sub-Antarctic, Maritime Antarctic, and Continental Antarctic. Recent taxonomic revisions of diatoms within the Sub-Antarctic and Maritime Antarctic Regions have uncovered a number of endemic taxa initially misidentified as cosmopolitan due to species "force-fitting". Within Continental Antarctica, this taxonomic uncertainty has led to confusion about the environmental drivers of limno-terrestrial diatom communities, although this knowledge is important given the use of diatoms as regional bioindicators for environmental change. The purpose of this dissertation is to reevaluate the diatom flora of Continental Antarctica and determine variables that structure their communities within two historically and biologically important localities within East Antarctica; the Vestfold Hills and Windmill Islands. The erection of the genus Sabbea was performed to accommodate a long-misidentified species, Sabbea adminensis, that occurs within the Vestfold Hills and McMurdo Sound Region where it had been the source of taxonomic confusion since the...
|
|
Phylogeny, diversification dynamics and biogeography of Hemidactylus geckos
Janák, Vojtěch ; Šmíd, Jiří (advisor) ; Kratochvíl, Lukáš (referee)
Hemidactylus is the second-most speciose among all gekkotan genera and also accounts very well for most typical characteristics of the group, such as almost worldwide distribution and significant species diversity. Many new species have been described in recent years, doubling the over all species count. Although the amout of knowledge regarding this genus has grown significantly, there is still some confusion in the matter of clade relationships on high as well as low levels of phylogeny. This thesis aims to summarize current knowledge of phylogeny and biogeography of this genus and its subclades.
|
|
Evolution, biogeography and systematics of moss-inhabiting flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae)
Damaška, Albert ; Fikáček, Martin (advisor) ; Bezděk, Jan (referee)
Flea beetles (Alticini) are a highly diversified group of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) with about 8 000 known species from about 560 genera distributed worldwide except Antarctica. The major life strategy of flea beetles is external feeding on vascular plants, similarly to other leaf beetles. However, studies published during last years revealed existence of numerous different flea beetle genera feeding on mosses. Moss-inhabiting flea beetles are usually highly specialized and share similar morphological characteristics, including flightlessness, compact body shape and modified antennae. However, their phylogenetic position remained unknown. In this study, I performed a phylogenetic analysis of 14 known moss- and leaf litter inhabiting flea beetle genera, included into a large dataset of various genera of flea beetles. I sequenced 2 mitochondrial and 2 nuclear genes previously used for phylogenetic analyses of Alticini. I also added numerous Neotropical external feeding alticine genera, because taxon samples from previous studies (Ge et al. 2012; Nie et al. 2017) consisted mainly of Oriental genera. Although deep divergences and phylogenetic positions of several genera were not resolved, the analysis revealed a multiple origin of moss- and leaf litter inhabitance among flea beetles. The morphologically...
|
|
Population genetics of bees
Beranová, Tereza ; Straka, Jakub (advisor) ; Munclinger, Pavel (referee)
Bees are one of the most important group of all insect, which plays a significant role in crop pollination. This bachelor thesis is review of articles, which speaks about genetic diversity of Apidae (Apoidea, Anthophila) and factors, which influence genetic diversity of this family. This thesis represents anthhropogenic impact, such as urbanization and fragmentation, and impact, which was not caused by human population, such as, climate change and parasite impact, on bee population. Part of this thesis is created by bee life overview and basic information about population genetics. The aim of this work is finding extent of declining pollinator problem, especially wild bees and also naming the bacic methods, which are used in this work. Key words: population, DNA analysis, threats, conservation genetics, bees, biogeography
|
|
The utilization of the web maps focused on biogeography at high school
Benešová, Markéta ; Netrdová, Pavlína (advisor) ; Havelková, Lenka (referee)
This bachelor thesis focuses on teaching biogeography at high schools and its enrichment by use of web maps. The thesis contains of summary of information about biogeography and web maps and analysis of their inclusion into teaching according to Czech curricular documents. Furthermore it brings an overview of web maps concerning biogeography. For better clarity, the web maps are divided into several categories. Five web maps, most suitable for inclusion in teaching of biogeography at high schools, were chosen for further research. The chosen web maps are described more closely in terms of their content and possibility of their use in biogeography teaching, their properties were evaluated in rating tables. Exemplary task was designed for each of the five web maps so that it can be an inspiration for teaching. Key words: biogeography, web maps, high school
|
|
Biogeography of the Balkan Peninsula: geological development and recent state of knowledge
Žďárská, Kateřina ; Šípek, Petr (advisor) ; Král, David (referee)
The aim of this study is to summarize history and development of Mediterranean with a following description and comparison of the biogeographical regions of the Balkan peninsula and surrounding areas. Balkan peninsula is located in eastern-central Mediterranean, which is known for its complex paleogeographic evolution. Current presence and distribution of organisms with high rate of endemism is influenced by several factors. For example orogenesis, the fragmentation of the Tethys ocean in Miocene (16 - 18 Ma), the birth and progression of the Paratethys sea and the Messinian salinity crissis (MSC, 5.97 - 5.33 Ma), followed with enormous ecological changes in whole Mediterranean. In this period, landbridges were formed and they allowed migration of species between African, Arabian and Eurasian tectonic plate. Another important period that formed present Mediterranean is Quarternary period in which this area is influenced by climatic oscillations leading to alternation of glacial and interglacial phases. Simultaneously, the sea level oscilations and migrations of species occured, which resulted into the creation of various refugia.
|
|
Factors influencing butterfly diversity of the species-rich Submediterranean region
BARTOŇOVÁ, Alena
This thesis focuses on the history, current state, and conservation of butterfly diversity in the Submediterranean grasslands and Palaearctic steppes. The thesis is introduced with the summary of Cenozoic history of the steppe biome in Eurasia. Then it consists of three studies. The first study describes butterfly communities and microhabitat selection of a steppe specialist butterfly Proterebia afra in two relic grassland areas in the Balkans. Based on genetic markers and samples covering the whole distribution ranges, the second and third studies assess the phylogeography of two steppe butterflies, P. afra and Pseudophilotes bavius, distributed in the Irano-Anatolian region, the Balkans, as well as the northern Palaearctic steppes.
|