A5076351871- Plant and animal studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- African Botany and Ecology Studies
- Biological Control of Invasive Species
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Marine and coastal ecosystems
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Plant and Fungal Species Descriptions
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
- Entomological Studies and Ecology
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Hymenoptera taxonomy and phylogeny
- Peatlands and Wetlands Ecology
- Forest Biomass Utilization and Management
- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
Institute of Entomology
2016-2025
Czech Academy of Sciences, Biology Centre
2016-2025
Czech Academy of Sciences
2016-2025
Institut Africain d'Informatique
2025
Charles University
2019-2024
Duke University
2020-2024
Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic
2024
Czech RE Agency
2024
Bridge University
2024
University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice
2017-2020
Amerila is one of the most studied Afrotropical genera Arctiinae. However, based on a regionally constrained sample specimens from Mount Cameroon, we show how superficial our knowledge these tiger moths is. Among six collected species, A. femina’s female described here for first time, and mulleri roseomarginata had never been recorded before in country. Moreover, novel biological data are presented, including individual species’ elevational ranges. Finally, reproductive organs genus...
The biodiversity of West and Central Africa is understudied, including butterflies moths (Lepidoptera). Cameroon, through its position in between few biogeographic regions diversity habitats, an important hotspot lepidopteran diversity. However, the country also ranks low when it comes to local knowledge. During our long-term ecological projects Cameroonian part Gulf Guinea Highlands, we collected rich material moths, a number interesting faunistic records.In this study, report 31 species...
Abstract Aim Temporal dynamics of biodiversity along tropical elevational gradients are unknown. We studied seasonal changes Lepidoptera the only complete forest gradient in Afrotropics. focused on shifts species richness patterns, turnover communities and species’ ranges, latter often serving as an indicator global change effects mountain ecosystems. Location Mount Cameroon, Cameroon. Taxon Butterflies moths (Lepidoptera). Methods quantitatively sampled nine groups by bait‐trapping (16,800...
Southern Africa hosts a high diversity of ecosystems and habitats with tremendous Lepidoptera. Although it is one the most studied parts Afrotropics, knowledge on distribution south African moth fauna remains insufficient. To partly fill this gap, we surveyed macromoths by automatic light traps in five localities two relatively less sampled countries.We reported six species genus (Remigioides) moths which had not yet been recorded Namibia or Zimbabwe. none these records broadened known...
Abstract Butterflies and moths are conspicuous flower visitors but their role in plant-pollinator interactions has rarely been quantified, especially tropical rainforests. Moreover, we have virtually no knowledge of environmental factors affecting the lepidopterans pollination networks. We videorecorded flower-visiting butterflies hawkmoths on 212 plant species (> 26,000 recorded hrs) along complete elevational gradient rainforests Mount Cameroon dry wet seasons. Altogether, 734 visits by...
Moth diversity on Mount Cameroon, a critical biodiversity hotspot in the Afrotropics, remains understudied despite region's rich and unique ecosystems. In this study, 34 species of plume moths (Pterophoridae) were recorded from Cameroon region, including four new to science: Titanoptilusbigoti Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich, sp. nov., Titanoptilusmurkwe Hellinsiaekonjo Hellinsiamapanja nov. Images adult type specimen male genitalia for Titanoptilusmelanodonta Hampson, 1905 are published first...
Abstract Although seasonality in the tropics is often less pronounced than temperate areas, tropical ecosystems show seasonal dynamics as well. Nevertheless, individual insects’ phenological patterns are still poorly understood, especially Afrotropics. To fill this gap, we investigated biodiversity of Lepidoptera communities at three rainforest localities foothills Mount Cameroon, West Africa, one wettest places world. Our multitaxa approach covered six lepidopteran groups (fruit‐feeding...
Man-made shallow fishponds in the Czech Republic have been facing high eutrophication since 1950s. Anthropogenic and feeding of fish strongly affected physicochemical properties water its aquatic community composition, leading to harmful algal bloom formation. In our current study, we characterized phytoplankton across three eutrophic ponds assess dynamics during vegetation season. We microscopically identified quantified 29 cyanobacterial taxa comprising non-toxigenic toxigenic species....
Introduction The mechanisms by which development favors or constrains the evolution of new phenotypes are incompletely understood. Polyphenic species may benefit from developmental plasticity not only regarding ecological advantages, but also potential for evolutionary diversification. For instance, repeated novel castes in ants have been facilitated existence alternative queen and worker their respective programs. Material Methods Cataglyphis bombycina is exceptional its genus because...
Fifteen species of many-plumed moths are recorded from the Mount Cameroon area, SW Cameroon, West Africa. Nine species: Alucitalongipenis Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich, sp. n. , A.lidiya A.ludmila A.escobari A.mischenini A.fokami A.janeceki A.besongi and A.olga described as new for science. Four Cameroon: A.acalyptra A.chloracta A.coffeina A.spicifera . By these records, area has become richest known Afrotropical locality Alucitidae, highlighting its tremendous value biodiversity conservation.
Man-made shallow fishponds in the Czech Republic have been facing a high eutrophication since 1950s. Anthropogenic and feeding of fish strongly affected physico-chemical properties water its aquatic community composition leading to harmful algal bloom formation. In our current study, we characterised phytoplankton across three hypertrophic ponds assess dynamics during vegetation season. We microscopically identified quantified 29 cyanobacterial taxa comprised non-toxigenic toxigenic species....
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Natural disturbances are essential for tropical forests biodiversity. In the Afrotropics, megaherbivores have played a key role before their recent decline. Contrastingly to savanna elephants, forest elephants' impact on ecosystems remains poorly studied. Few decades ago, Mount Cameroon were divided by lava flows, not being crossed local population of elephants until now. We assessed communities trees, butterflies and two guilds moths in disturbed undisturbed split longest flow. surveyed 32...
Tropical forests support two-thirds of the world's biodiversity, contribute to global climate regulation, and culture livelihoods forest-dependent people. But much extant tropical forest is subject selective logging hunting - extractive activities that potentially alter ecosystem function species diversity. However, collective impact these threats, especially in context protected vs unprotected areas, not fully understood. Here we assess how vocalizing biodiversity responds different types...
This study confirms Mount Cameroon as an unprecedented hotspot for the diversity of many-plumed moths, with discovery and description nine new species: Alucita fako Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich, sp. nov. , pyrczi sroczki potockyi sedlaceki tonda erzayi sokolovi hirsuta nov . Additionally, four additional species are reported from area country: agassizi dohertyi plumigera rhaptica Of 89 Alucitidae known Afrotropics, studied hosts 36 species, most which endemic to area. level endemism within...
During our surveys of fruit-feeding Lepidoptera at the Mount Cameroon National Park and Bimbia Bonadikombo Community Forest (both southwestern Cameroon) we recorded nineteen species Erebidae moths not previously reported from Cameroon. Simultaneously, provide first records genera Ametropalpis Lacera country.
Mount Cameroon, SW has already been described as a unique hotspot of the many-plumed moth (Lepidoptera, Alucitidae), with their local diversity unrivalled in entire Afrotropics. We confirm its importance description seven new species: Alucita bakweri Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich, sp. nov. , jana bakingili tatjana zuza deja and bokwango These descriptions have raised known species on Cameroon to 22, i.e., over quarter Afrotropical biodiversity this group. This study also emphasises great...
Abstract Mechanisms structuring tropical communities are still under‐studied, especially in Afrotropical rainforests. Although insect herbivores considered to depend on plant diversity, we hypothesized that vegetation structure, together with other microhabitat characteristics, can be more important for some insects. Here, compared habitat associations of fruit‐feeding butterflies and moths, two ecologically different groups Lepidoptera, three rainforest localities foothills Mount Cameroon,...
Anthropogenic pressures are causing the widespread loss of wildlife species and populations, with adverse consequences for ecosystem functioning. This phenomenon has been widely but inconsistently referred to as defaunation. A cohesive, quantitative framework defining evaluating defaunation is necessary advancing biodiversity conservation. Likening deforestation, we propose an operational that defines it related terms, situates relative intact communities faunal degradation, encourages...
Environmental productivity, i.e., the amount of biomass produced by primary producers, belongs among key factors for biodiversity patterns. Although relationship diversity to environmental productivity differs studied taxa, detailed data are largely missing most groups, including insects. Here, we present a study moth patterns at local and regional scales along continent-wide gradient in southern African savannah ecosystems. We sampled moths (Lepidoptera: Heterocera) 120 plots normalized...
Abstract Bergmann’s Rule describes an increase in the body size of endothermic animals with decreasing environmental temperatures. However, ectothermic insects including moths, some few existing studies investigating patterns along temperature gradients do not follow Cline. Intraspecific differences moth sizes spatiotemporal are unknown from Palaeotropics, hindering general conclusions and understanding mechanism responsible. We measured intraspecific forewing 28 Afrotropical species sampled...
Tropical forests support two-thirds of the world's biodiversity, contribute to global climate regulation, and culture livelihoods forest-dependent people. Much extant tropical forest is subject selective logging hunting - extractive activities that potentially alter ecosystem function species diversity. However, collective impact these threats, especially in context protected vs unprotected areas, not fully understood. Here we assess how vocalizing biodiversity responds hunting, across diel...