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Lecturer(s)
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Čelechovský Alois, RNDr. Ph.D.
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Kundrata Robin, doc. RNDr. Ph.D.
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Course content
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Phylogeny and classification of the major lineages of Hexapoda: Protura, Collembola, Diplura, and Insecta; Monocondylia and Dicondylia; Palaeoptera and Neoptera; Polyneoptera, including the phylogenetic position of termites and the Zoraptera problem. Paraneoptera: Psocodea (Psocoptera, Mallophaga, Anoplura, Rhynchophthirina), Thysanoptera, and Hemiptera (Heteroptera, Auchenorrhyncha, and Sternorrhyncha). Holometabola: evolution, phylogenetic relationships, and classification. For all groups, diagnostic characters and comparative morphology, ecology, and systematics of the most important families and selected genera and species. Evolutionary innovations, diversity and distribution of the major groups, and their roles in ecosystems. Insect palaeontology, the fossil record of major groups, and reconstruction of the ecological dominance of different groups in past ecosystems. Major cases of diversification and colonization of new environments. Alternative classifications and comparison of phylogenetic signal derived from morphological and molecular data. Current advances in molecular phylogenetics and phylogenomics. Practical introduction to the global fauna of the groups covered in the course during practical classes.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Lecture, Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Demonstration
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Learning outcomes
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The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the evolution, phylogeny, diversity, and classification of Hexapoda in the context of current knowledge in systematic biology.
The student will gain an overview of the diversity, evolution, phylogeny, classification, and biology of hexapods (Hexapoda) in the context of current knowledge in systematic biology. They will be able to characterize the major evolutionary lineages of hexapods, their diagnostic features, biology, ecology, biogeographical distribution, and phylogenetic relationships. The student will understand the evolutionary processes that have led to the extraordinary species diversity of insects and will become familiar with current approaches to the classification of Hexapoda.
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Prerequisites
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General knowledge on invertebrate classification.
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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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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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McGavin, G. & Davranoglou, L.-R. (2022). Essential Entomology. NY.
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Naumann, I. D. et al. (1991). The Insects of Australia: A Textbook for Students and Research Workers. Carlton, Victoria, Australia.
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Šípek, P., Hadrava, J., Hrůzová, L., Sommer, D. & Zeman, Š. (2025). Atlas hmyzu. Brno.
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