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Fossil clown beetles (Coleoptera: Histeridae): early evolution of "beetle tanks"
Simon Pražák, Jan ; Prokop, Jakub (advisor) ; Růžička, Jan (referee)
Clown beetles (Histeridae) represent a diverse (>4500 described species) group of beetles with worldwide distribution (except Antarctica) and with exceptional diversity of occupied habitats. Specialisation on environments such as subcortical space, dung and carrion, tunnels of wood- boring insects, caves, sand deserts, beaches, rodent burrows or ant colonies, has led to remarkable adaptations of morphology and even radical changes of entire body shape. To understand evolutionary paths of this extraordinary group of beetles, fossils are of vital importance. In this study, I examined eight undescribed species of fossil Histeridae from mid-Cretaceous Burmese and Hkamti ambers. I provide morphological descriptions and discuss possible taxonomical position of these species based on morphological characters. I further tested the phylogenetic position of all Cretaceous Histeridae genera via a topology-constrained maximum parsimony analysis based on a set of 69 characters. Among the studied species, representatives of Abraeini and Paromalini are reported for the first time from the Cretaceous. I discuss evolutionary implications based on the new as well as other Histeridae fossils. Subcortical strategy was likely common in the Cretaceous histerids, now reported in three separate lineages. It is also...
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Selected localities of Prague for teaching biology and geology
Cibíková, Markéta ; Rajsiglová, Jiřina (advisor) ; Drda Morávková, Alena (referee)
This bachelor thesis is focused on the most important Prague locations that are suitable for biological and geological excursion. Very important is practical teaching biology and geology. It is desirable that students understand the processes of ancient geological history, that they have seen with their own eyes preserved fossils and that they know how plants and animals which are integral part of teaching biology look like. In this point of view the theoretical teaching in the classrooms is insufficient. In the work is included biological and geological characteristics of selected sites aimed at their geologicla formation, rock, fossils, plants and animals that are found there. Itinerary for each excursion should be designed. There are links to worksheets made by methodical portal RVP which are the part of my work. Short introduction of teaching biology and geology in foreign countries and their access to excursion is presented as well. This thesis was designed for teachers of biology and geology to make preparations of their own excursions easier.
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Evolution of histeroid beetles (Coleoptera: Histeroidea): phylogenetics, fossil record and life histories
Simon Pražák, Jan ; Fikáček, Martin (advisor) ; Lackner, Tomáš (referee)
Histeroid beetles (Coleoptera: Staphyliformia: Histeroidea) represent an important lineage of beetles, known for a rich diversity of body forms and inhabited environments. In this thesis, I summarize available information about their position in the beetle tree of life and the available information about their ecology and biology. I specifically address current ideas about the evolution of the four histeroid families (Histeridae, Cretohisteridae, Synteliidae and Sphaeritidae) and the internal phylogeny of the Histeridae. To understand the available data about the past diversity of the group, I provide a summary of all described fossil species. The group has undergone numerous habitat shifts, often connected with apparent morphological and behavioural adaptations, some of which likely increased the diversification rate of respective lineages. This thesis aims to connect the available phylogenetic, fossil and ecological data to provide a summary of the evolutionary history of the lineage.
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Skeletal reconstruction using virtual approach and its contribution to paleoanthropology
Veselá, Barbora ; Rmoutilová, Rebeka (advisor) ; Kotěrová, Anežka (referee)
- AJ Virtual anthropology is a multidisciplinary approach to studying fossil and bone material which combines knowledge from many scientific fields, such as biology, mathematics, anatomy and computational techniques. Fossil material is often incomplete, fragmentary and prone to damage, and virtual methods provide many benefits compared to traditional approaches, such as better preservation of fragile original fossil and bone material, and greater objectivity during reconstruction. Virtual methods have enabled significant progress in study of human past and evolution.
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New analytical techniques for the study of amber inclusions
Škorpíková, Šárka ; Prokop, Jakub (advisor) ; Sakala, Jakub (referee)
Amber is an amorphous organic material, a fossil plant resin, mostly produced by Mesozoic and Cenozoic wetland trees. It was often used in jewelry in the past. However, together with the development of paleobiology it has begun to be used as an object of scientific studies, due to its unique abilities to conserve various inclusions in their three-dimensional matter and unusual preservation of their structures. These facts show its important role in the reconstruction of past ecosystems and organism interactions. Various groups of insects and chelicerates groups are typical inclusions that can be found in fossil resins. But the spectrum of these fossil organisms is much wider - from unicellular to vertebrates. For menaningful research of fossil material, precise analytic observations methods are necessary. Their development made a huge progress in last few years. This thesis summarizes the overview of some of these methods and also of inclusions described in several past years from various amber deposits (review of major deposits is included). Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
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Selected localities of Prague for teaching biology and geology
Cibíková, Markéta ; Rajsiglová, Jiřina (advisor) ; Drda Morávková, Alena (referee)
This bachelor thesis is focused on the most important Prague locations that are suitable for biological and geological excursion. Very important is practical teaching biology and geology. It is desirable that students understand the processes of ancient geological history, that they have seen with their own eyes preserved fossils and that they know how plants and animals which are integral part of teaching biology look like. In this point of view the theoretical teaching in the classrooms is insufficient. In the work is included biological and geological characteristics of selected sites aimed at their geologicla formation, rock, fossils, plants and animals that are found there. Itinerary for each excursion should be designed. There are links to worksheets made by methodical portal RVP which are the part of my work. Short introduction of teaching biology and geology in foreign countries and their access to excursion is presented as well. This thesis was designed for teachers of biology and geology to make preparations of their own excursions easier.
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Diversity of European pseudoscorpions (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones)
Kotrbová, Jana ; Šťáhlavský, František (advisor) ; Christophoryová, Jana (referee)
The aim of this thesis is description of diversity of Pseudoscorpions (Pseudoscorpiones) in Europe. Europe is the best explored continent of the world in the range of the order Pseudoscorpions. This is due to long-term tradition in the research of Pseudoscorpions. There was noted 755 species in Europe until 2011, which are sorted into 14 families. The most numerous family is Neobisiidae (12 genus, 401 species), following families Chthoniidae (5 genus, 214 species), Chernetidae (8 genus, 49 species), Cheliferidae (9 genus, 37 species), Syarinidae (5 genus, 13 species), Olpiidae (3 genus, 10 species), Larcidae (1 genus, 6 species), Garypinidae (3 genus, 5 species), Atemnidae (2 genus, 5 species), Withiidae (1 genus, 4 species), Geogarypidae (1 genus, 3 species), Cheiridiidae (2 genus, 3 species), Garypidae (1 genus, 3 species) and Bochicidae (2 genus, 2 species). The families Neobisiidae, Chthoniidae, Cheliferidae, Cheiridiidae a Chernetidae occur almost in whole Europe, the remaining families are noted mainly from southern areas of Europe. The extension of Pseudoscorpions is influenced by many factors, either abiotic (temperature, humidity, altitude and geological factor) or biotic (foresy and human influence). In detail it is not possible to evaluate the influence of individual factors due to limited number...
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New findings in horse phylogeny
Kardošová, Kristína ; Majzlík, Ivan (advisor) ; Hofmanová, Barbora (referee)
This thesis deals phylogenetic developement of the horse since its origin until the present. Describes fossil horses, formation processes and conservation. Shows the most famous paleontological localities, where they were found fossil bones or fragments. Explains methods of investigation, such as determining the age of radiocarbon dating or electron spin resonance and analysis ancient DNA. Family equidae is taxonomically classified based on their evolutionary series. Relations between taxa are also shown in the diagrams - phylogenetic trees or cladogram, which are structured according to morphological and molecular data. It also mentions order Perrisodactyla, their evolution, radiation and new taxonomic classification. The main part is devoted to phylogeny equidae. It describes morphological changes due to adaptive specializations, including mainly limbs (extension their parts and reduction fingers), dentition (increasing crowns, molarization of premolars, gradual coverage cement) and skull (extension and enlargement of the brain). It describes individual genera and several important species from the genus Hyracotherium after Equus, their morphology and way of life. Previous studies of fossil horses, methods of comparative anatomy, are confronted with new molecular biology analysis. The results bring a new perspective on the taxonomy and phylogeny of the horse. Next part is devoted breeding groups of domestic horse. Characterized Eguus robustus, Equus gracilis, Equus gmelini and Equus przewalskii. Detects the taxonomic status of the Przewalski horse, relative to fact that today there are disputes about its evolutionary relationship with the domestic horse. Highlights the importance of reintroduction of Przewalski horses, the last wild horse, in the Mongolian steppes, the place of his original expansion. The last part includes the theory of horse domestication. Describes the site of human habitation, where archaeological artifacts and horse bones indicate keeping animals.
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Srovnání ekologické situace vybraných krajinných prvků a geomorfologických dominant jižní Moravy
Muchová, Marcela
The diploma thesis deals with comparison of the ecological situation in the national natural monument "Stránská skála", Sites of Community Importance "Jižní svahy Hádů" and natural park "Výhon". All the three localities are associated with sedimentary limestone bedrock, similar geological and historical evolution. Furthermore, the diploma's thesis deals with the anthropogenic problems on the selected locations and there is preliminary evaluated degree of landscape degradation in the historical context. Geological and pedological data of representative samples from all the localities are interpreted in chapter results and discussion.
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