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Evolution of hair in great apes and humans
Vejmělková, Anna ; Hora, Martin (advisor) ; Jarešová, Pavla Alexia (referee)
Humans are distinguished from other primates by their functionally naked body surface, caused by reduced body hair density and the type of hair called vellus, with which humans are predominantly covered. This type of hair represents fine and poorly pigmented hair, which, unlike terminal hair, is hardly visible. However, a reduced hair density can also be observed in other hominids, including the genus Homo and the genera Pan, Gorilla, and Pongo. In this work, we first compare the hair density of selected body parts for different species of primates. Next, we describe the structure and functions of hair and discuss hypotheses that explain the possible circumstances leading to a gradual decrease in hair density. We mainly focus on crucial hypotheses related to bipedal locomotion, inhabiting tropical savanna areas, parasites, or the influence of sexual selection. However, we also present some other hypotheses related to the wearing of clothes or the inhabiting of the aquatic environment by our ancestors. This work aims to compare these hypotheses, present arguments for and against them, and summarize their possible effects on the current state. Keywords: human, great apes, evolution, hair
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Analysis of trade in some groups of mammals protected by the CITES convention between the EU and third countries
KUCÍRKOVÁ, Kateřina
Unsustainable international wildlife trade together with destruction and pollution of wild nature and spread of the invasive species, has long been recognised as a major threat to biodiversity. The subject of this thesis is an evaluation of international trade with some groups of mammals (Great apes and Rhinos) covered by CITES convention between European Union and third countries according EU Annual Reports in 2000 ? 2009. The trade has been divided into export and import and within these categories were evaluated main traded species, types of specimens, exporter and importer, source and purpose of the trade. It was found the trends of Great apes export and import increased, trend of Rhinos export decreased, the trend of Rhinos import increased over this period.
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