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The ecological and ethological significance of felid coat patterns (Felidae)
Jaroš, Filip ; Komárek, Stanislav (advisor) ; Horáček, Ivan (referee) ; Weber, Andreas (referee)
The presented work investigates various theories about the significance of felid coat patterns. Most of the hypotheses are based on the theory of adaptive function of animal colouration. As regards felids, it is generally believed that the coat pattern has the function of aggressive resemblance. Early testimonies about cryptic properties of colouration of cats are summarized to provide the historical perspective of the problem. Other putative adaptive functions of patterns are investigated (intraspecific communication, thermoregulation) and close attention is paid to the option that the spotted coat of the leopard (Panthera pardus) serves as a cue for recognition from the perspective of prey. In the next stage, some of the hypotheses are tested by statistical means. The problem is simplified into search for association between a given category of a coat pattern (e.g. spots, stripes) and usual habitat of felid species (e.g. forest, grassland). Pagel's test for correlated changes is employed to account for phylogenetic relationships. In addition to broadly acknowledged hypotheses, the validity of proposition that juvenile coat patterns have the function of protective resemblance is tested. Finally, the problem of colouration of felids is linked to broader context of theoretical biology. Apart from prevailing...
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The ecological and ethological significance of felid coat patterns (Felidae)
Jaroš, Filip ; Komárek, Stanislav (advisor) ; Horáček, Ivan (referee) ; Weber, Andreas (referee)
The presented work investigates various theories about the significance of felid coat patterns. Most of the hypotheses are based on the theory of adaptive function of animal colouration. As regards felids, it is generally believed that the coat pattern has the function of aggressive resemblance. Early testimonies about cryptic properties of colouration of cats are summarized to provide the historical perspective of the problem. Other putative adaptive functions of patterns are investigated (intraspecific communication, thermoregulation) and close attention is paid to the option that the spotted coat of the leopard (Panthera pardus) serves as a cue for recognition from the perspective of prey. In the next stage, some of the hypotheses are tested by statistical means. The problem is simplified into search for association between a given category of a coat pattern (e.g. spots, stripes) and usual habitat of felid species (e.g. forest, grassland). Pagel's test for correlated changes is employed to account for phylogenetic relationships. In addition to broadly acknowledged hypotheses, the validity of proposition that juvenile coat patterns have the function of protective resemblance is tested. Finally, the problem of colouration of felids is linked to broader context of theoretical biology. Apart from prevailing...
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Have somatic parameters of wild Felidae been changed in the captivity?
HURTOVÁ, Dominika
Animals in the captivity are under some influences which change their morphological and behavioral parameters. This thesis focuses on the morphological changes in the skulls of Felidae based on own comparisons of measurements and a detailed review of the literature. Some perspectives in respect of taxa selection and methodological approach are proposed.
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Feeding enrichment in selected Felids
PINTOVÁ, Radka
Environmental enrichment and welfare are important elements for animals in captivity. This study starts with general introduction in breeding animals in zoos and environmental enrichment for important taxonomic groups. The practical part is following with a research on effect of food on frequency of stereotypic behavior. The theoretical assumption says that the different time of eating the food leads to different behavior. Long-term observation was done to confirm the theory. Eight animals belonging in three species were observed in time of feeding, eight types of food were given. The behavior at the time of feeding and after was evaluated by ethogram. General trends in time used for feeding were confirmed (the shortest time for chicken and opposite the longest for head of a goat). The evaluation of stereotypic behavior mainly showed the individuality of each animal. However, servals exhibit most of this pattern. The relationship between stereotypes and time of feeding was insignificant. Generally most of the results were statistically insignificant because of low number of repetition in the dataset.
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Phylogeny of fur characters in Felidae.
PAVLISKA, Petr
Phylogeny of several fur characters has been studied in the family Felidae. Fur characters were compared with other morphological, ecological and behavioral characters based on basic phylogenetic parameters (L, CI, RI). I detected character states for ancestor of specific well-supported clades (lineages) and described characters evolution in Felidae. Some basic fur characters were statistically analyzed for possible correlations with some ecological and behavioral characters
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Phylogeny of fur characters in Felidae.
PAVLISKA, Petr
Phylogeny of several fur characters has been studied in the family Felidae. Fur characters were compared with other morphological, ecological and behavioral characters based on basic phylogenetic parameters (L, CI, RI). I detected character states for ancestor of specific well-supported clades (lineages) and described characters evolution in Felidae. Some basic fur characters were statistically analyzed for possible correlations with some ecological and behavioral characters
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The coat colouration of Felidae
PAVLISKA, Petr
The coat colouration has been studied in the family Felidae. I have tried to describe a structure, composition and marks of the mammalian coat and to show possible changes of the colouration based on my own direct observations. Finally I have made a getting methodology of photographic data for possible application in the species- and individual- identification in felids. This study is based on the literal review and personal observations in the zoological gardens (especially in the Czech Republic). This review offers to me some hypothese for future investigation.
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