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Evolution of Eurasian mammoths during the Quaternary with a focus on adaptations related to climate change
Bhija, Amín ; Mazuch, Martin (advisor) ; Čermák, Stanislav (referee)
The main purpose of this work is to summarize the changing functional morphology of Eurasian mammoths throughout the Pleistocene, along with a short summarization of the Pleistocene environments of Eurasia. Dietary habits of mainland European mammoths are also be described, as the dental morphology and microwear analysis of mammoth teeth is often used as an environmental indicator. The transition between early mammoths such as Mammuthus rumanus, Mammuthus meridionalis and more derived grassland mammoths such as Mammuthus trogontherii and Mammuthus primigenius is illustrated through morphological adaptations and a change in their diet.
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Plant adaptations for pollination by nocturnal animals
Bakovská, Julie ; Tropek, Robert (advisor) ; Sklenář, Petr (referee)
Nocturnal pollination is a part of the reproductive process of plants. The night is characterized by changes in abiotic factors, mainly by a decrease in solar radiation and temperature, while plants and pollinators adapt to these conditions. Plants and pollinators adapt to each other throught the process of coevolution. As a result plants present traits preferred by their pollinators. Sets of convergent traits shared by plants pollinated by single functional group are called pollination syndromes and include reward type, scent, colour and flower morphology. The pollination syndromes and other adaptations of plants pollinated by nocturnal pollinators are presented in this thesis, in the context of adaptations of pollinators' senses to nighttime conditions. Simultaneously, it is referred to the evolutionary reasons for the transition of activity to the night. Significant nocturnal pollinators, associated with pollination syndromes include moths, divided into hawkmoths (sphingophily pollination syndrome) and other nocturnal moths (phalaenophily), bats (chiropterophily) and non-flying mammals (therophily). Other important nocturnal pollinators exhibiting adaptations to nocturnal pollination are beetles and nocturnal bees.
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Comparative methods for studying adaptive traits of fungal symbionts
Veselská, Tereza ; Kolařík, Miroslav (advisor) ; Voigt, Kerstin (referee) ; Dvořák, Miloň (referee)
The kingdom Fungi encompasses an estimated 2.2 to 6.2 million species that occupy diverse environments, including aquatic, extremely dry, and hot or frosty habitats all over the world. To cope with adverse environmental conditions, fungi have developed numerous adaptations and life strategies, including symbiosis with other organisms, ranging from close, reciprocally beneficial (mutualistic) associations to severe pathogenic infestations. These interactions have an enormous impact on ecosystem functioning, with implications for agriculture and human health. For this reason, understanding the mechanisms enabling the successful development of fungal interactions is necessary for their efficient management. Recent advances in different 'omics' approaches have enabled us to compare species responses to the environment in a more complex way than before and to gain deeper insights into the adaptive mechanisms underlying specific life strategies. My thesis is divided into four main sections. In the first section, I sum up findings about adaptations of fungal symbionts of plants and animals. Then, I introduce two fungal genera, Geosmithia and Pseudogymnoascus, to which I applied comparative methods for tracking adaptive traits. The ecological diversity of the genus Geosmithia allows to trace adaptive...
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Adaptations of orchid roots to epiphytism
Ungrová, Anna ; Ponert, Jan (advisor) ; Soukup, Aleš (referee)
The evolutionary success of orchids is to a large extent driven by the ability to colonize epiphytic habitats. This ability is based on a number of adaptations at different levels, and the adaptive features of aerial roots can play a key role because the roots are practically the only organ providing water and nutrient uptake. The main aim of this work is to review available information about roots of epiphytic orchids (Orchidaceae), especially their adaptations to the epiphytic way of life. The roots of epiphytes must deal with a periodic lack of water and nutrients, often in conjunction with high irradiation. The roots of epiphytic orchids adapt to these conditions on many levels. Rhizodermis forms a velamen capable to retain water and nutrients and protecting roots against environmental conditions including UV radiation. Root cortex contains chloroplasts, which can perform photosynthesis at least in some orchid species. Exodermis is well differentiated with thick secondary cell walls and acts as a selective barrier for the transport of substances with the use of passage and aeration cells. The function of some adaptive structures is still unclear, for example, tilosomes could regulate transpiration. Epiphytism evolved multiple times in orchids, and some root adaptations therefore originated...
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Adaptations of orchid roots to epiphytism
Ungrová, Anna ; Ponert, Jan (advisor) ; Soukup, Aleš (referee)
The evolutionary success of orchids is to a large extent driven by the ability to colonize epiphytic habitats. This ability is based on a number of adaptations at different levels, and the adaptive features of aerial roots can play a key role because the roots are practically the only organ providing water and nutrient uptake. The main aim of this work is to review available information about roots of epiphytic orchids (Orchidaceae), especially their adaptations to the epiphytic way of life. The roots of epiphytes must deal with a periodic lack of water and nutrients, often in conjunction with high irradiation. The roots of epiphytic orchids adapt to these conditions on many levels. Rhizodermis forms a velamen capable to retain water and nutrients and protecting roots against environmental conditions including UV radiation. Root cortex contains chloroplasts, which can perform photosynthesis at least in some orchid species. Exodermis is well differentiated with thick secondary cell walls and acts as a selective barrier for the transport of substances with the use of passage and aeration cells. The function of some adaptive structures is still unclear, for example, tilosomes could regulate transpiration. Epiphytism evolved multiple times in orchids, and some root adaptations therefore originated...
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Adaptation of Proper Nouns in Czech-American Periodicals at the End of the 19th Century
Burdová, Kateřina ; Dittmann, Robert (advisor) ; Andrlová Fidlerová, Alena (referee)
The bachelor's thesis focuses on the process of the adaptation of proper nouns in chosen periodicals of the end of the 19th century that were published in the USA by Czech immigrants. Based on the analysis of periodicals collected from the Library of the Naprstek Museum of Prague originated a list of proper nouns that has been studied from various points of view, namely the phonetics, morphology including the word-class competition (Cedar Rapidský - Cedar Rapids) and syntax, translated and non-translated forms (Nová Praha - New Prague). In terms of proper nouns toponymical and antoponymical pertinence has been taken into account. Besides the research of the adaptation of proper nouns itself, the thesis also sums up the existing findings on the Czech-American periodicals and the processes of adaptation of proper nouns in Czech-American interference.
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Adaptation of Proper Nouns in Czech-American Periodicals at the End of the 19th Century
Burdová, Kateřina ; Dittmann, Robert (advisor) ; Andrlová Fidlerová, Alena (referee)
The bachelor's thesis focuses on the process of adaptation of proper nouns in chosen periodicals of the end of the 19th century that were published in the USA by Czech immigrants. Based on the analysis of periodicals collected from the Library of the Naprstek Museum of Prague there originated a list of proper nouns that has been studied from various points of view, namely the phonetics and phonology, morphology including the word-class competition (Cedar Rapidský - Cedar Rapids), translatedand non-translated forms (Nová Praha - New Prague) etc. In terms of proper nouns toponymical and anthroponymical pertinence has been taken into account. Besides the research of the adaptation of proper nouns itself, the thesis also sums up the existing findings on the Czech-American periodicals and the processes of adaptation of proper nouns in Czech-English interference.
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