UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH BOHEMIA IN ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE
Study programmes & Course catalogue
for academic year 2026/2027
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH BOHEMIA IN ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE
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Course: Herpetology

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Course title Herpetology
Course code KZO/020
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Lesson
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Frequency of the course In each academic year, in the summer semester.
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 7
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course unspecified
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Gvoždík Václav, RNDr. Ph.D.
  • Frýdlová Petra, Mgr.
  • Jančúchová Lásková Jitka, Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Kolář Vojtěch, RNDr. Ing. Ph.D.
  • Šumbera Radim, prof. Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
1. Evolution of Tetrapods: Evolutionary position of recent amphibians and reptiles. Brief overview of the diversity of extinct amphibian and reptile groups. Evolution, diversity, biogeography, biology of the main recent groups: Gymnophiona (= Apoda, caecilians) & Crocodylia (crocodylians). 2. Caudata (= Urodela, urodelans) & Testudines (chelonians): Pleurodira, Cryptodira, and Meiolaniformes. 3. Anura (= Salientia, anurans): "Archaeobatrachia" ? paraphyletic group of evolutionarily basal anurans & Lepidosauria: Rhynchocephalia (= Sphenodontia, tuatara), Squamata: "Sauria" 1 (lizards) ? paraphyletic group with regard to the internal position of snakes: Dibamia and Gekkota, Scincomorpha, Lacertibaenia (Lacertidae + Amphisbaenia), Teiioidea. 4. Anura (anurans), clade Neobatrachia 1: Heleophrynidae, Myobatrachidae, Hyloidea & Squamata: "Sauria" 2 (lizards): Toxicofera: Iguania, Anguiformes, Mosasauria. 5. Anura (anurans), clade Neobatrachia 2: Sooglossidae, Nasikabatrachidae, Ranoidea: Microhylidae, Afrobatrachia & Squamata: Toxicofera: Serpentes 1 (snakes) ? internal group of lizards, sister clade to Iguania + Anguiformes: "Scolecophidia", Amerophidia, Afrophidia including Caenophidia 1 ? Acrochordidae, Pareidae, Viperidae. 6. Anura (anurans), clade Neobatrachia 3: continuation of Ranoidea: Natatanura & Squamata: Toxicofera: Serpentes 2: Caenophidia 2, continuation ? Homalopsidae, Elapoidea, Colubroidea. 7. Amphibians and Reptiles of the Czech Republic: Salamandridae, Bombinatoridae, Pelobatidae, Bufonidae, Hylidae, Ranidae; Emydidae, Lacertidae, Anguidae, Colubridae (including Natricinae), Viperidae; overview of all species, basic biology and distribution. 8. Integument and Osmoregulation. Amphibian skin: Structure, glandular function, skin as a respiratory organ and its permeability, osmoregulation. Reptile skin: Keratinization, ecdysis, osteoderms. 9. Constructional Morphology and Locomotion. Evolutionary changes of the vertebral column and limbs during the transition to land. Biomechanics of anuran jumping, aspects of limb reduction, adaptations to aquatic, terrestrial, arboreal, and fossorial lifestyles. Mechanisms and evolution of growth. 10. Cardiovascular System and Ectothermy. Heart and blood circulation: Comparative heart anatomy of amphibians, squamates, and crocodylians. Thermoregulation: Ectothermy, mechanisms of body temperature regulation. 11. Digestive System and Nitrogen Metabolism. Feeding mechanisms, dietary specialization. Excretion and osmoregulation. Relationship between habitat and nitrogenous waste types (ammonotelism, ureotelism, uricotelism). 12. Reproductive Biology and Life History. Comparison of anamniotic and amniotic eggs. Reproductive modes: From oviparity to viviparity, metamorphosis, evolution of placenta. Reproductive strategies: Epigamic behavior, parthenogenesis, hybridogenesis, parental care. 13. Sensory Ecology and Ethology. Sensory equipment: Use of vision, olfaction, and thermoreception in searching for prey and mates. Foraging strategies. Communication and social behavior: Acoustic signals, visual rituals, chemical sense. Anti-predatory strategies: Passive defense, active threat and display, mechanical and chemical defense, autotomy. Excursions to the Hluboká Zoo and Prague Zoo, dissection/anatomy training, demonstration of voucher specimens, field excursions, and trapping methods

Learning activities and teaching methods
unspecified
Learning outcomes
Upon completing the course, students will gain a comprehensive overview of phylogeny, evolutionary systematics, basic species diversity of major groups, and the complex biology of amphibians and reptiles. They will be able to interpret the evolutionary origin and systematic classification of individual groups, analyze the functional relationships between morphological body structure and ecological demands, and explain the specifics of physiological processes in ectothermic vertebrates. Furthermore, students will understand the diversity of reproductive modes and life histories of amphibians and reptiles and will be able to assess the importance of their sensory perception in the context of ethological adaptations, social communication, and defense mechanisms in the natural environment.

Prerequisites
Vertebrate Zoology KZO/152

Assessment methods and criteria
unspecified
Active participation in tutorials, successful completion of at least 65% of questions covering the full scope of the syllabus. The course replaces two existing courses, Reptile Biology and Amphibian Biology. Since both guarantors (lecturers) are from other institutions, teaching will combine scheduled classes with block teaching. Practical classes/tutorials will mostly be provided by local sources.
Recommended literature
  • Gaisler, J. & Zima, J. (2018, dotisk 2025). Zoologie obratlovců. Academia..
  • Moravec, J. (1999). Svět zvířat VII. Obojživelníci, plazi. Albatros..
  • Moravec, J. (2019). Obojživelníci a plazi České republiky. Academia..
  • Pough, F.H. et al. (2015). Herpetology, Fourth Edition. Sinauer Associates..
  • Roček, Z. (2002). Historie obratlovců. Academia, Praha..
  • Vitt, L. J. & Caldwell, J. P. (2014). Herpetology: An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles. Fourth Edition. Academic Press..


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH BOHEMIA IN ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE, date of update: 19.05.2026 23:50. Data created for academic year 2026/2027