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Lecturer(s)
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Kundrata Robin, doc. RNDr. Ph.D.
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Čelechovský Alois, RNDr. Ph.D.
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Course content
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Morphology of the insect body and its parts. Cuticle - chemical composition, properties, and functions. Head, its appendages, and the structure of the head capsule. Types of mouthparts, their morphology, and the structure of their individual components. Thorax - morphology and structure. Dorsal and ventral thoracic appendages. Abdomen - morphology and structure. Abdominal appendages - ovipositor, cerci, and styli. Insect muscular system, anatomy and histology of muscles. Nervous tissue - histology and composition. Insect body cavity and its compartments. Circulatory system and circulation of haemolymph within the insect body. Haemolymph - composition and functions. Types and significance of haemocytes. Insect central nervous system - composition, structure, and functions of its individual parts. Male reproductive organs - origin, development, and structure. Female reproductive organs - origin, development, and structure. Insect sensory organs - mechanoreceptors, their structure and function. Proprioceptors, auditory receptors, and tympanal organs. Chemoreceptors, thermoreceptors, and hygroreceptors - structure, function, and distribution on the body. Photoreceptors - ocelli, stemmata, and compound eyes; their structure, function, and distribution on the insect body. Dissection of the insect body by individual body regions, preparation of specimens, removal of soft tissues, sclerotized and membranous structures, and practical identification of individual structures on microscopic slides.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Lecture, Observation, Demonstration
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Learning outcomes
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Introduction to the following topics: insect morphology, physiology, and reproduction.
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to describe the basic structure and morphology of the insect body, characterize the morphology of individual body parts and the basic anatomy of organ systems, and describe the modes of reproduction in insects.
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Prerequisites
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Basic knowledge in the general zoology.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Written exam
Knowledge corresponding to the course content.
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Recommended literature
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Betz, O. (2025). Insect Ecomorphology. London.
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Beutel, R. G. et al. (2014). Insect morphology and phylogeny. Berlin.
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Grimaldi, D. A. & Engel, M. S. (2005). Evolution of the Insects. Cambridge.
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Grimaldi, D. A. (2023). The Complete Insect. Anatomy, Phsysiology, Evolution, and Ecology.. Princeton.
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Gullan, P. J. & Cranston, P. S. (2014). The Insects: An Outline of Entomology. West Sussex.
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Chapman, R. F. (2013). The Insects. Structure and function. Cambridge.
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McGavin, G. & Davranoglou, L.-R. (2022). Essential Entomology. NY.
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Naumann, I. D. et al. The Insects of Australia: A Textbook for Students and Research Workers. Carlton, Victoria, Australia. 1991.
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Shuker, D. M. & Simmons, L. W. (2014). The evolution of insect mating systems. Oxford.
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