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Lecturer(s)
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Boukal David, doc. Ing. MgA. Ph.D.
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Course content
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Content of lectures: 1. Evolutionary ecology as a synthesis of two approaches. Interplay between ecological and evolutionary processes. Central role of phenotype. Phenotype-genotype mapping, role of environment. 2. Types of individual traits and their selection. Measures of selection strength and evolutionary response. Breeder's equation. 3. Quantification of fitness. Modern views of r- and K-selection. Static and dynamic adaptive landscape. Link between fitness measure and limiting factors in a population. 4. Phenomenological and mechanistic models in evolutionary ecology. Trade-offs. Flow of energy in individual organisms. 5. Classical studies of life history evolution. Case study 1: reproductive strategies. 6. Adaptations in random environment, bet-hedging. CS 2: evolution of seed/egg dormancy in plants and zooplankton. 7. Phenotypic plasticity and reaction norms. CS 3: adaptations to different predators. 8. Sociobiology and evolution of behaviour. CS 4: animal personalities. 9. Evolution of mating systems and sexual selection. CS 5: battle of the sexes and parental care. 10. Evolution in multispecies context. Predator-prey, plant-herbivore and host-parasite interactions. CS 6: evolution of virulence. 11. Evolution of cooperation, mutualism and symbiosis. CS 7: fig pollination. 12. Human-induced evolution. Domestication as an evolutionary process. Evolution of drug and pesticide resistance. CS 8: fisheries-induced evolution. Content of practicals: Reading and discussion of selected classic papers and/or design of a small research project in groups of 1-3 students (review of a given scientific question, analysis of published or own data, or a simple simulation study).
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Dialogic (discussion, interview, brainstorming), Work with text (with textbook, with book), Work with multi-media resources (texts, internet, IT technologies), Project-based learning
- Class attendance
- 48 hours per semester
- Preparation for classes
- 20 hours per semester
- Preparation for exam
- 40 hours per semester
- Preparation for credit
- 50 hours per semester
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Learning outcomes
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The course should familiarize students with main concepts and classic methods of evolutionary ecology. Emphasis will be given on the feedbacks between ecological and evolutionary processes and illustrative examples. Selected concepts and methods will be studied during exercises, which may combine joint discussions of selected classic papers with a small project assigned at the start of the course. This combination will enable the students to obtain hands-on experience and acquire generally useful skills. The course extends the lectures on Population ecology (KBO 334) and Evolutionary biology (KZO 270). It explains the evolution of ecological interactions and phenomena described in KBO 334, KZO 270 and other courses. The lectures are complemented with problem-solving examples and examples of recent developments to illustrate the methods and approaches in classical evolutionary ecology. Overlap with course UMB 345 is minimal as emphasis is put on the biological context.
The student will gain a detailed understanding of the main evolutionary phenomena in an ecological context. He/she will be able to interpret scientific papers on evolutionary ecology, gain basic skills needed to analyze selected eco-evo questions, and understand the links between a given question, theoretical concepts and available methods.
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Prerequisites
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The course assumes basic knowledge of the basic ecological and evolutionary principles.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Test, Seminar work
Exact form and extent of the practicals is tailored to the current level and interests of the students attending the course. Small research projects may be further developed into a scientific publication. Examination will combine the evaluation of the participation in paper discussions/project with a written test at the end of the course. The student needs to score at least 50% points to pass the test.
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Recommended literature
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Fox C.W., Roff D.A., Fairbairn D.J. (eds), 2001: Evolutionary Ecology: Concept and Case Studies. Oxford University Press, Oxford..
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Mayhew P.J., 2006. Discovering Evolutionary Ecology: Bringing Together Ecology and Evolution. Oxford University Press, Oxford..
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Roff D.A. Modeling Evolution. New York, 2010. ISBN 978-0-19-957114-7.
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