Course: Biology of Aquatic Animals

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Course title Biology of Aquatic Animals
Course code ZOO/BVZSB
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Exercise
Level of course Master
Year of study 1
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Uvíra Vladimír, RNDr. Dr.
  • Šigutová Hana, Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
Water as an environment (physicochemical properties and anomalies of water and impacts on aquatic organisms), life strategies of aquatic animals. Morphology and biological manifestations of individual groups of invertebrates: - Porifera, Cnidaria; - Platyhelminthes, Gastrotricha, Camptozoa, Bryozoa, Rotifera; - Annelids, Nemertea, Nematomorpha; - Nematoda, Tardigrada; - Arachnida, Hydracarina, Collembola; - Mollusca; - Crustacea; - Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Plecoptera; - Heteroptera, Megaloptera, Neuroptera, Coleoptera; - Lepidoptera, Trichoptera; - Diptera. In the practices, the characteristic manifestations of individual groups of aquatic invertebrates are demonstrated using live representatives.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Observation, Demonstration, Group work, Analyzing and producing audiovisual content
  • Attendace - 24 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
A comprehensive overview of Central European aquatic invertebrates, their habitats, biology and ecology
After completing the course, students will: - know the physical and chemical properties of water and its anomalies - understand the links between the physical environment of freshwater habitats and the diversity and adaptations of invertebrates living in them - be able to characterize individual groups of aquatic invertebrates in terms of classification into the system, morphology and biological manifestations (movement, respiration, feeding, reproduction) - integrate knowledge of animal systematics and ecology, understanding both within the broader context of freshwater ecosystems - understand the ecology and function of individual groups in aquatic ecosystems - have a comprehensive overview of aquatic invertebrate species of Central Europe and their habitats
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of systematics, anatomy and morphology of invertebrates

Assessment methods and criteria
Student performance, Written exam

Credit - 100% attendance Exam - test Active participation on lectures and practices (seminars).
Recommended literature
  • Batzer, D., Boix, D. Invertebrates in Freshwater Wetlands. Switzerland. 2016.
  • Dobson, M., Pawley, S., Fletcher, M., Powell, A. Guide to Freshwater Invertebrates. 2012.
  • Kriska, G. (2023). Freshwater Invertebrates in Central Europe. Switzerland.
  • Pechenik. (2010). Biology of Invertebrates. Boston.
  • Rundle, S. D., Robertson, A. L., & Schmid-Araya, J. M. (2002). Freshwater meiofauna: biology and ecology. Leiden.
  • Thorp, J. H., Rogers, C. D. Thorp and Covich's Freshwater Invertebrates. 2015.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Zoology (2021) Category: Biology courses 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Summer