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Hunting behaviour of the wild population of river otter (Lutra lutra) in conditions of the shallow river.
POJEROVÁ, Lucie
Eurasian otter belongs to the group of endangered species. Its decrease was caused by the decline of suitable biotopes and the pollution of waste water. The human activity is considered to be another important reason for its decrease. Eurasian otters were hunted for their fur and for the losses on fish population. Although the number of Eurasian otter has been increasing lately, it is still important to protect these carnivorous animals. This bachelor thesis deals with the issue of foraging behaviour of the wild population of Eurasian otter. The aim of the thesis is to demonstrate the problems of otter?s foraging behaviour in shallow river; mainly the technique of this type of hunting. It was found that in the shallow river of the Lužnice River, the otters prefer rather the hunt-type of ?patch fishing?, which is usual while hunting in deep water. This kind of hunt has different characteristic since the preys are fish which are active during the daytime, contrary to inactive preys known from deep water of lakes and sea coasts. In the Lužnice River there were observed male and female otters and juvenile individuals. There was also observed the number of diving sessions during hunting session, the number of dives and hunting success set by the number of successful diving sessions.
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Reintroduction of Grey wolf in the USA
Myslivcová, Markéta ; Fiala Šebková, Naděžda (advisor) ; Chmelíková, Eva (referee)
This bachelors study Reintroduction of Grey wolf in the USA summarizes known facts about species Grey wolf (Canis lupus) in its first part. It describes problems in taxonomic system, lists wolf subspecies, describes its natural home range and habitat, morphology, social behavior and pack structure, ethology, reproduction and process of raising wolf pups, hunting techniques, eating habits, and wolf and human relationships.
Wolves as top predators play a key role in natural ecosystem and a big part of this work focuses on benefits of wolf presence in natural habitat. These benefits are for example higher biodiversity and natural balance. The second part of the paper focuses on wolves in the USA. It describes in detail a history of wolf presence in the lower 48 states, the causes of wolf eradication caused by humans, and following controversial reintroduction. It describes the recovery of Eastern timber wolf, Mexican wolf, and the recovery of Grey wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains in detail. Creation of the endangered species act in 1973 triggered the wolf reintroduction in the USA. The purpose of the Endangered species act, as described by the congress, is to reestablish a population of a species listed as endangered and to protect its natural habitat. The Grey wolf was listed ad endangered in 1974, and plans of reintroduction started to form immediately. This work describes the process of reintroduction, its impact on the environment, and also problems it brings to the society. These problems are for example depredation of livestock, danger to pets and possible decline of game species as elk and deer . It also describes current population size and population management
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Geographical analysis of distribution of large carnivores in the moravian Carpathians - applications for environmental education
Šťovíčková, Kateřina ; Romportl, Dušan (advisor) ; Matějček, Tomáš (referee)
Large carnivores are the most important bio-indicators. Their current distribution is connected to large complexes of mountain forests with low-intensity anthropogenic interference. In the Czech Republic, the Moravian Carpathians are presently home to large carnivores such Lynx lynx, Canis lupus and Ursus arctos. This region is also significant in that it connects regions of current large carnivore populations with regions suitable for potential population expansion. Geographical analysis of the distribution of large carnivores in the Moravian Carpathians revealed a positive correlation between carnivores and the mountain forest near the border of Slovakia. Studies for predilection for land cover and geographical relief as well as the influence of human activity were carried out. It was found that Lynx lynx, Canis lupus and Ursus arctos preferred a region with a low human population density and minimal roads. Future spread depends on the conservation of landscape permeability between areas. This work concentrates mainly on the problem of landscape fragmentation, and how spatial and line barriers can cause the loss of biodiversity. A return of large carnivores to our forests will only be possible if road corridors will be designed with respect to the carnivores' habitat requirements, and also through...
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Options and current practice of determining ferrets paternity (Mustela putorius furo)
Henclová, Tereza ; Sedlák, Petr (advisor) ; Vostrý, Luboš (referee)
Paternity tests dealing with the origin of individuals within breeds. It is an important parameter for those interested in the targeted livestock and lead to the improvement of their breed. This thesis deals with paternity tests used by the animals at the current level of genetic research and their potential application in ferrets form of literary analysis. The literature review is a basic characteristic of ferrets. Furthermore, there are contained basic genetic data, including molecular taxonomy, information, testing and paternity testing paternity insight into carnivores (Carnivora). In the discussion are discussed possibilities of using this test in ferrets.
In addressing the issue of the literature, I found that at present is carried out by PCR (polymerase chain reaction), which enables rapid DNA amplification. Using this method is performed comparing STR trio mother-baby-father. Preferably STR polymorphism is of good resolution, high variability and easy amplification by PCR, but the main disadvantage is the high mutation rate and limited number of markers in a single reaction (maximum 17). STR profiling results are expressed paternity index (Pi). The index is the result of paternity probability calculation that helps us express how big probability of paternity this alleged male. Equivalent expression Pi is the percentage ranging from 0% to 100%. The result is either confirming or disproving fatherhood. This problem is in ferrets yet elaborated and testing is currently not used. Within the current knowledge of the paternity test in ferrets contributed to the improvement of their breed that would reduce the risk of inbreeding, the transmission of hereditary diseases or defects in the next generation and to prevent fraudulent behavior in order to deceive the future owner.
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Reintroduction of endangered vertebrate species in the Czech Republic
Prokorátová, Vendula ; Kubík, Štěpán (advisor) ; Vynikalová, Lucie (referee)
Reintroduction process, often also called repatriation, restoration of populations of
a certain species in areas where this specie was toner occurred. This work is focused on the evaluation of reintroduction, including problems that accompany it and its history. For succesfull renew of the population shall the reintroduction program have three phases. First of them is the reintroduction efore the surfy and the preparation phase. Following phase is the achal lunch of the species into to wild and final phase of reintroduction project is the follow-up care and monitoring. Reintroduction program should always involve experts from various disciplines and not only in science but also in sociology and specialists to communicate with the public. The success is also given by the cosi of these projects. Problems associated with re-introductions are several. Important thing is to select appropriate species for reintroduction which is not easy especially because of public opinion. Professional basis for the selection of species is the Red book but public opinion is in reintroduction programs very important and can be decisive. Attractive species get preference from the public view especially mammals and birds. Furthermore there are examples of successful reintroduction in the world in this work. The main par is focused on individual species of vertebrates which are relaesed into the wild in the Czech Republic: Ground squirrel Spermophilus citellus, Lyns Lynx Linch and Ural owl Strix uralensis. Each of these species is described in detail and it also includes conservation activities and cause sof Langer or extincting of species. Some organizations which are dealing with emergency programs in particular are also briefly mentioned.
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Toxic metals in foods
Klímová, Martina ; Orsák, Matyáš (advisor) ; Hniličková, Helena (referee)
Summary
Bachelor thesis Toxic metals in food is focused on toxic metals, their description, toxicity and monitoring their content in foods. Toxic metals significantly contaminate the environment nowadays. The metals pollute the environment through burning fossil fuels, agriculture and producing and processing of metals. They occur in various forms and appear in compounds, rocks and minerals. Their toxicity for human and animals is substantial. Their toxicity is related to the form of occurrence, solubility in water and in organic solvents and their mobility in body and water. Toxic metals bind on SH group of proteins and work as an enzyme poisons. The most toxic effect was found in cadmium, but also other metals have significant toxic effect. Lead, Cadmium and Arsenic have carcinogenic effects and cause malignant tumour. Mercury and above mentioned have mutagenic and teratogenic effects. Significant contamination of the environment and food can lead to poisoning, which is expressed by various symptoms.
Toxic metals are absorbed especially by inhalation and consumption of contaminated food. Agriculture crops are polluted from contaminated soil, water and using of fertilizers and pesticides. To meat and animal products, toxic metals come mainly from contaminated plants, which animals eat. Meat products can be polluted by incorrect technological procedure. In general are toxic metals cumulated by organisms in tissues, especially in kidneys and liver. Animals living in polluted area have a lot of these metals in their tissues. With its increasing age, cattle more accumulate toxic metals in its tissues, therefore maximum recommended age of slaughter is 3 years. Serious problem is high amount of mercury in fish, especially in the sea fish. The larger and more carnivorous the fish is, the more they cumulate mercury and the other metals. Especially in the contaminated sea, mainly polluted sea from oil, fish have more metals in tissues. Across the European Union, there were currently set strict limits on the contents of metals in food. Some limits were updated and added by the last findings last year. Keeping these limits is regularly checked.
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Challenges of Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) conservation in the tropics: lessons learned from the Chitwan National Park of Nepal
BHATTARAI, Bishnu Prasad
This research deals with the challenges of the conservation of tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) in the Chitwan National Park of Nepal and aims to be a model for tiger conservation in the tropical areas of other tiger range countries. Despite the high level of public concern and major investments during the last few decades for conservation, wild tigers continue to be under grave threat, and their preservation now requires, more than ever before, using reliable ecological knowledge for their conservation interventions. In this dissertation, I investigated various factors that affect on tiger conservation in this park: population status of prey, dietary patterns of tiger and its impact on sympatric carnivores (e.g., leopard) and increasing human-wildlife conflicts, effects of habitat structures and human disturbances on prey and predator species abundance and distribution.
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The economy of Spain and its position in the European Union
Hlávková, Eva ; Jeníček, Vladimír (advisor) ; Jelínek, Jiří (referee)
The aim of the thesis is to assess the economy of Spain and its position in the European Union. The European integration processes significantly influenced the development of democracy in Spain as a member state of EU. The period after Franco regime would last undoubtedly much longer and it would grow less dynamically without these processes. The influence of EU affected not only the Spanish economy, but also the current position of Spanish monarchy in Europe and in the whole world. The thesis is structured in three main parts. To be able to assess the Spanish economy during its membership in the EU, it is essential to study the procedures of negotiations between the candidate country and the Community. That is the reason why the first part is engaged in the pre-entry phase. The second part examines in detail the development of the economy after the reintroduction of democracy in the country. It deals mainly with the macroeconomic tendencies, their causes together with consequences. The progress concerns the economic situation in Spain before the entry to the Community, in the second half of eighties, as well as during the nineties. The thesis does not forget to be engaged in the current situation in the new millennium and it also outlines the possible development in the following years. The last part is devoted to the position and the influence of Spain on the main integration directions in the European Union. The coherence and the extent of evaluation can be considered one of the benefits of this work. The thesis introduces the complex view of the Spanish economy since the entry to the EU. It also deals with possible following tendencies. The understanding of the development is facilitated by a large number of graphs and tables, which help to outline the essence of the topic.
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How evolution of coloration in parrots (Psittaciformes) affects species conservation through human preferences
Lišková, Silvie ; Šumbera, Radim (referee) ; Frynta, Daniel (advisor)
Each year, several new species are recognized as threatened or endangered. Today's worldwide zoos and aquariums are highly concerned in their conservation and the species kept in large numbers have high chances for possible future reintroduction. However, the selection of the species kept is decided by men and as such can be affected by human aesthetic preferences. The aim of this thesis was to test the hypothesis that zoos preferentially keep species that are attractive rather than endangered, using the parrot family (Psittaciformes) as an example. We collected data from 460 human respondents who evaluated the attractiveness of parrots presented on painted illustrations. After analyzing which traits affect the perceived beauty we found that humans prefer parrots that are big, long-tailed and colourful (blue, orange and yellow). There was a considerable agreement among the respondents. We repeatedly confirmed significant positive association between the perceived beauty and the size of worldwide zoo population. In addition of perceived beauty, area of distribution and body size appeared significant predictors of zoo population size. In contrast, the effects of conservation status and taxonomic uniqueness appeared insignificant. Our results suggest that zoos preferentially keep beautiful parrots and pay less...
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