Bi8008 Malacozoology

Faculty of Science
Spring 2023
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. RNDr. Michal Horsák, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. RNDr. Michal Horsák, Ph.D.
Department of Botany and Zoology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: prof. RNDr. Michal Horsák, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Botany and Zoology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Prerequisites (in Czech)
Bi6083 Bc. state exam system. biology
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
History of malacological research in the Czech Republic, survey of our mollusc fauna, identification of individual species, their ecological requirements, distribution, and conservation status. Importance and applicability of molluscs in ecological research, in bioindication, in nature conservation, and in palaeoecology and past landscape reconstructions. The biology of land snails on a general level with special attention to diversity patterns, ecology, habitat requirements, soil biology, food and feeding behaviour. Methods of field sampling and statistical analyses with intent to study their ecology on community level.
Learning outcomes
Students will gain ability to: - identify species of the Czech mollusc fauna - understand in detail their phylogeny, diversity, morphology and ecology
Syllabus
  • 1) Introduction, major textbooks and identification literature, history of the Czech malacozoology, degree of knowledge. 2) Common methods of the field research, fixation of material, preparation for identification, comparative collections. 3) System, diversity within particular habitat types and the main predictors of species richness, the main ecological requirements of our mollusc fauna and individual species. 4-7) Practical identification of all Czech mollusc species (240 spp.). 8-12) Individual student work, student presentations on land mollusc ecology topics on a general level and discussions about the selected topics, discussions about bachelor and diploma theses, possibilities of statistical assessments, publications etc. Practical introduction to the field research methods.
Literature
  • Barker G.M. (ed.), 2001: The Biology of Terrestrial Molluscs. – CABI Publishing, Wallingford, 558 pp.
  • Ložek, V. (1964) Quartärmollusken der Tschechoslowakei. ČSAV, Praha.
  • Barker, G.M. (Ed.) (2004) Natural enemies of terrestrial molluscs. CABI Publishing, Wallingford.
  • Ložek V., 1956: Klíč Československých měkkýšů. – Vydavatelstvo Slovenskej Akadémie Vied Bratislava. 435 pp.
Teaching methods
lectures, thematic presentations of students
Assessment methods
oral exam
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught once in two years.
Information on the per-term frequency of the course: Vypisuje se v jarním semestru lichých let (2021, ...).
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2008 - for the purpose of the accreditation, Spring 2008, Spring 2010, Spring 2012, spring 2012 - acreditation, Spring 2014, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, spring 2018.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2023/Bi8008