A5049965196- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Plant and animal studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Immune Response and Inflammation
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Aquaculture disease management and microbiota
- Animal Nutrition and Physiology
- Gut microbiota and health
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Genetic and Clinical Aspects of Sex Determination and Chromosomal Abnormalities
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Microbial infections and disease research
- Sperm and Testicular Function
- Marine animal studies overview
Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Biology
2016-2025
Charles University
2016-2025
Czech Academy of Sciences
2007-2022
Uppsala University
2022
Institut de Biologia Evolutiva
2022
University of Würzburg
2019
Fracture Analysis Consultants (United States)
2017
Institute of Zoology
2017
University of Tübingen
2012
Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics
2007
The parasite island syndrome denotes shifts in life histories on islands, which affect diversity, prevalence and specificity. However, current evidence of syndromes mainly stems from oceanic while sky islands (i.e. mountains isolated by surrounding low-elevation habitats) have received limited attention. To explore the Afrotropical we examined haemosporidian blood parasites their bird hosts two Afromontane regions Cameroon. Analysing more than 1300 samples Bamenda Highlands Mount Cameroon,...
Summary 1. The phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) skin‐swelling test is widely used in immunoecology and ecotoxicology to estimate cell‐mediated immunity. Although often presumed, the involvement of T cells generating an immune response PHA vivo remains unclear. 2. To investigate mechanism triggering this we have compared zebra finch ( Taeniopygia guttata ) responses two isolectins differing their biological properties one control protein. 3. In Experiment I, applied PHA‐P (the commonly L E isolectin...
Abstract Animals use acoustic signals for communication, implying that the properties of these can be under strong selection. The adaptation hypothesis predicts species in dense habitats emit lower‐frequency sounds than those open areas because low‐frequency propagate further vegetation high‐frequency sounds. Signal frequency may also sexual selection it correlates with body size and are perceived as more intimidating. Here, we evaluate hypotheses by analysing variation peak song across...
Female promiscuity is highly variable among birds, and particularly songbirds. Comparative work has identified several patterns of covariation with social, sexual, ecological life history traits. However, it unclear whether these reflect causes or consequences female promiscuity, if they are byproducts some unknown evolutionary drivers. Moreover, factors that explain at the deep nodes in phylogenetic tree may be different from those important tips, i.e. closely related species. Here we...
Centromeres are an important part of chromosomes which direct chromosome segregation during cell division. Their modifications can therefore explain the unusual mitotic and meiotic behaviour certain chromosomes, such as germline-restricted (GRC) songbirds. This is eliminated from somatic cells early embryogenesis later also male germ spermatogenesis. Although mechanism elimination not yet known, it possible that involves a modification centromeric sequence on GRC, resulting in problems with...
Background The rate of extrapair paternity is a commonly used index for the risk sperm competition in birds, but data exist only few percent approximately 10400 extant species. As analyses require extensive field sampling and costly lab work, species coverage this will probably not improve much foreseeable future. Recent findings from passerine which constitute largest avian order (∼5 900 species), suggest that phenotypes carry signature competition. Here we examine how well standardized...
Effects of vertebrate-associated microbiota on physiology and health are significant interest in current biological research. Most previous studies have focused host-microbiota interactions captive-bred mammalian models. These their outcomes still relatively understudied, however, wild populations non-mammalian taxa. Using deep pyrosequencing, we described the cloacal microbiome (CM) composition free living barn swallows Hirundo rustica, a long-distance migratory passerine bird. Barn swallow...
Rapid diversification of sexual traits is frequently attributed to selection, though explicit tests this hypothesis remain limited. Spermatozoa exhibit remarkable variability in size and shape, studies report a correlation between sperm morphology (sperm length shape) competition risk or female reproductive tract morphology. However, whether postcopulatory processes (e.g., cryptic choice) influence the speed evolutionary form unknown. Using passerine birds, we quantified rates divergence...
Vertebrate gut microbiota (GM) is comprised of a taxonomically diverse consortium symbiotic and commensal microorganisms that have pronounced effect on host physiology, immune system function health status. Despite much research interactions between hosts their GM, the factors affecting inter- intraspecific GM variation in wild populations are still poorly known. We analysed data faecal composition 51 passerine species (319 individuals) using Illumina MiSeq sequencing bacterial 16S rRNA...
Life span and aging are substantially modified by natural selection. Across species, higher extrinsic (environmentally related) mortality (and hence shorter life expectancy) selects for the evolution of more rapid aging. However, among populations within high can lead to extended slower as a consequence condition‐dependent survival. Using within‐species contrasts eight Nothobranchius fishes in common garden experiments, we demonstrate that originating from dry regions (with short had...
Animal bodies are inhabited by a taxonomically and functionally diverse community of symbiotic commensal microorganisms. From an ecological evolutionary perspective, inter-individual variation in host-associated microbiota contributes to physiological immune system variation. As such, may be considered integral part the host's phenotype, serving as substrate for natural selection. This assumes that exhibits high temporal stability, however, its composition is shaped trans-generational...
Abstract The genetic architecture of a phenotype can have considerable effects on the evolution trait or species. Characterizing provides insight into complexity given and, potentially, role in evolutionary processes like speciation. We use genome sequences to investigate basis phenotypic variation redpoll finches ( Acanthis spp.). demonstrate that is broadly controlled by ~55-Mb chromosomal inversion. Within this inversion, we find multiple candidate genes related melanogenesis, carotenoid...
Abstract Animal tolerance towards humans can be a key factor facilitating wildlife–human coexistence, yet traits predicting its direction and magnitude across tropical animals are poorly known. Using 10,249 observations for 842 bird species inhabiting open ecosystems in Africa, South America, Australia, we find that avian was lower (i.e., escape distance longer) rural rather than urban populations exposed to human disturbance (measured as footprint index). In addition, larger with clutches...
Extrapair fertilizations (EPFs) are frequently documented in songbirds; however, the extent to which this reproductive tactic contributes variance male success and hence strength of sexual selection on males remains little studied. Using 2 approaches, intraspecific comparative, we test hypothesis that contribution EPFs fitness increases with migration distance north temperate songbirds. data genetic mating system scarlet rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus, a long-distance migrant, show number...
The house mouse hybrid zone (HMHZ) is a species barrier thought to be maintained by balance between dispersal and natural selection against hybrids. While the HMHZ characterized frequency discontinuities for some sex chromosome markers, there an unexpected large-scale regional introgression of Y across barrier, in defiance Haldane's rule. Recent work suggests that major force maintaining acts through sperm traits. Here, we test whether penetration traits assessing characteristics wild-caught...
Wormy mice in a hybrid zone have been interpreted as evidence of low fitness, such that parasites contribute to species separation. However, because its natural heterogeneity, observations parasite load must be numerous with good field area coverage. We sampled 689 from 107 localities across the Bavaria-Bohemia region European house mouse and calculated their indices using 1401 diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). tested whether hybrids greater or lesser diversity helminths...
Abstract Population divergence in geographic isolation is due to a combination of factors. Natural and sexual selection may be important shaping patterns population differentiation, pattern referred as ‘isolation by adaptation’ ( IBA ). can complementary the well‐known distance’ IBD ), which closely related populations (via any evolutionary process) associated with isolation. The barn swallow Hirundo rustica complex comprises six subspecies, where divergent phenotypic differentiation among...
Two house mouse subspecies, Mus musculus domesticus and musculus, form a hybrid zone in Europe represent suitable model for inferring the genes contributing to isolation barriers between parental taxa. Despite long-term intensive studies of this zone, we still know relatively little about causes mechanisms maintaining 2 taxa as separate subspecies; therefore, gain insight into process, developed 8 wild-derived inbred strains. In order produce strains pure or genomes possible, individuals...