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Evolution of Host Specialisation, Phylogeography and Taxonomic Revision of Xenidae (Strepsiptera)
Benda, Daniel
Twisted-winged parasites (Strepsiptera: Xenidae) are an excellent group for studying the specialisation of parasites on hosts. Their parasitic lifestyle led to the evolution of numerous morphological, behavioural, physiological, and reproductive adaptations. Moreover, many complex adaptive traits of Strepsiptera have no parallel in other organisms. In contrast, little attention has been paid to the study of strepsipteran molecular phylogeny, phylogeography, species delimitation, and their implications for taxonomic classification. Using the methods of molecular phylogeny, we created the first dated phylogenetic study of the family Xenidae. By investigating historical biogeography and ancestral host groups, we indicate that multiple lineages were exchanged between the New World and the Old World + Australia until Antarctica became completely frozen over. During the late Paleogene and Neogene periods, several lineages spread from the Afrotropics to other Old World regions and Australia. The original hosts of Xenidae were most likely social wasps, and the subsequent host switch from social to solitary wasps was secondary and probably occurred only once. The parallel host switch from solitary wasps to digger wasps (Sphecidae) occurred independently in the New and Old World. The biogeography and...
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Biodiverzita myxozoí v přehradní nádrži Římov zjištěná analýzou environmentální DNA
BÜRGEROVÁ, Monika
Myxozoans represent a diverse group of microscopic endoparasites primarily infecting fish, including over 2,600 nominal species. Despite the extensive number of described species, their diversity remains still unexplored and underestimated. The detection and surveillance of myxozoan parasites in previously unexamined areas can reveal crucial pathogens linked to fish mortality and discover myxozoans biodiversity. This thesis investigates the parasite diversity in the Římov Reservoir, focusing on myxozoan detection through environmental DNA (eDNA). A comparison of detected diversity at various sites and in different environmental samples across the Římov Reservoir unveiled interesting patterns of read abundance and number of OTUs within each myxozoan clade. This study underscores the importance of eDNA analysis in detecting pathogens and assessing biodiversity in myxozoan parasites.
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Evolution of Host Specialisation, Phylogeography and Taxonomic Revision of Xenidae (Strepsitera)
Benda, Daniel ; Straka, Jakub (advisor) ; Malenovský, Igor (referee) ; Cook, Jerry L. (referee)
Twisted-winged parasites (Strepsiptera: Xenidae) are an excellent group for studying the specialisation of parasites on hosts. Their parasitic lifestyle led to the evolution of numerous morphological, behavioural, physiological, and reproductive adaptations. Moreover, many complex adaptive traits of Strepsiptera have no parallel in other organisms. In contrast, little attention has been paid to the study of strepsipteran molecular phylogeny, phylogeography, species delimitation, and their implications for taxonomic classification. Using the methods of molecular phylogeny, we created the first dated phylogenetic study of the family Xenidae. By investigating historical biogeography and ancestral host groups, we indicate that multiple lineages were exchanged between the New World and the Old World + Australia until Antarctica became completely frozen over. During the late Paleogene and Neogene periods, several lineages spread from the Afrotropics to other Old World regions and Australia. The original hosts of Xenidae were most likely social wasps, and the subsequent host switch from social to solitary wasps was secondary and probably occurred only once. The parallel host switch from solitary wasps to digger wasps (Sphecidae) occurred independently in the New and Old World. The biogeography and...
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Vliv managementu a technologie odchovu telat na výskyt parazitárních onemocnění
PAŘÍZKOVÁ, Petra
Faecal samples were collected from two dairy farms. The influence of management and technology on the incidence of Cryptosporidium and Eimeria infections was investigated. A total of 20 calves from each farm were observed from birth to 16 weeks of age, and faecal samples from each animal were examined weekly. A total of 680 faecal samples were collected and examined. Parasite detection was performed by a combination of standard parasitological microscopic and molecular methods. Infections with C. parvum subtypes IIaA13G1R1 and IIaA17G1R1, C. ryanae subtype XXIc, E. zuernii, E. cylindrica, E. ellipsoidalis, E. bovis, E. auburnensis, and E. subsferica were detected. The cumulative prevalence of C. parvum on the sampled farms was 85 %, and the prevalence of infection was detected at one to four weeks of age. The cumulative prevalence of Eimeria spp. reached 100 % in calves from both monitored farms at 16 weeks of age. Feeding high-quality colostrum with a higher immunoglobulin content reduced the intensity of infections caused by C. parvum. The risk of Eimeria infection increased with the length of time calves remained in the farrowing room when the newborn animals were in contact with older calves. Inadequate technique for raising calves together after weaning resulted in an increased incidence of diarrheal disease.
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Vliv potravní preference všenek (Phthiraptera: Amblycera) na formování jejich mikrobiomů
ŽIŽKOVÁ, Kateřina
Microbiome diversity of chewing lice belongs to generaly unexplored topics. This thesis provides the first insight into the microbiomes of 15 chewing lice species of the genus Menacanthus. We detected the presence of two dominant symbiotic bacteria, which occurred in almost all species. We also compared the microbiome diversity of lice with different diet preferences (blood feeding and feather feeding species). Based on these analyses, we identified the main determinants shaping the microbiomes of Menacanthus lice. The microbiomes are namely affected by Menacanthus species identity, its geographical origin, dietary niche, and the extent of the host spectrum that the lice parasitize.
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Molekulární epidemilogie střevních parazitů lišky polární a medvěda ledního v Arktidě
MYŠKOVÁ, Eva
This thesis is aimed at elucidation of host-parasite dynamics in specific cold-temperature habitats. Particularly, it focuses on predators, namely the Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) and presents information about its parasitofauna and phylogeography from several regions of its polar range: namely Svalbard, Greenland and Canada. The thesis is introduced by a short overview of relevant facts on parasites in a cold climate and on the introduction of a host of interest - the Arctic fox. The introduction is followed by a study of parasite diversity in Svalbard foxes. This study is complemented with a parasitic survey of introduced rodents Sibling voles (Microtus levis), possible prey of foxes. The next study describes the Arctic fox parasitofauna in Greenland and Canadian localities and is supplemented by phylogeographical study of Arctic foxes. The following study represents a comparison of the prevalence of parasitic protists of the genus Cryptosporidium in wild canids in central Europe. The final study uncovers the potential threat of introduced animals to Arctic regions by examination of parasitofauna of imported dogs in Svalbard.
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\kur{Apodemus} vs. \kur{Eimeria}: Evolutionary factors of speciation and genomic diversification in host-parasite system
MÁCOVÁ, Anna
This thesis discusses and explains phylogenetic patterns observed in two different organisms: Eimeria, an unicellular parasite, and Apodemus, a rodent that often serves as a host for this parasitic species. The situation in rodents is intuitive, clearly reflecting their biogeographic history. Phylogenetic pattern in A. agrarius corresponds with its spread from the core locality of its distribution eastward. The lack of the genetic variability in European populations hints the recent origin of this population with the low number of founders. The phylogeny of A. flavicollis, a rodent inhabiting almost the whole Europe, reflects the situation during the last glacial maximum (i.e. speciation in several subpopulations that did not interbreed, but retained their independent nature). The situation in Eimeria is more complex. Parasites always fight in "arm races", trying to accommodate to their hosts as best they can, and to avoid their defense. This results in coevolutionary events such as cospeciation, host switches, duplications, and other events that form the genetic variability in parasites. The study of evolutionary relationships in Eimeria may be difficult due to lack or morphological and/or relevant molecular data. This thesis adds more information to this view. Several other studies were also included in this thesis to provide a broader picture of the complexity of host-parasite systems.
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Evolution and Phylogeny of Mesozoa
DRÁBKOVÁ, Marie
This thesis focuses on the phylogenetic position of Mesozoa (Orthonectida and Dicyemida) based on phylogenomics, and on dicyemid life-history traits revealed by molecular methods used in population genetics. The thesis is introduced by the review of biology of both groups, complemented by up to now development of views on their phylogenetic position and notes concerning the study of the population structure of marine invertebrates. The introduction is followed by a study focusing on the phylogenetic position of Mesozoa, a comparison of population structure between the cephalopod host and its dicyemid parasite, and a case study of dicyemid parasite infrapopulation. The thesis wraps up with a review on cephalopod parasites and a summary.
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Health education in teaching of biology at primary schools
GALÍKOVÁ, Tereza
The final paper sets four teaching texts, topics of which are Mushrooms with fruiting bodies (Consumable and poisonous mushrooms), Vegetable drugs, Parasites and HIV/AIDS. Moreover, it suggests teaching activities such as games, which are supposed to strenghten the pupils´ newly gained knowledge using an enjoyable aproach. The theoretical part of the paper contains analyses of biology textbooks and methodology rules charecteristics, including a thorough methodological analysis of topical unit Mushrooms with fruiting bodies, Vegetable drugs, Parasites and HIV/AIDS in fourteen Czech biology textbooks for primary schools. The supplement contains proposed aide samples presented in photographs and pictures, a handbook for mushroom, vegetable drugs and parasite recognition.
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