Syllabus
Evolution of the insect diversity in the past Diversity of insects today Morphological diversity of the insects and its reasons Speciation, species-concepts and biogeographic issues of selected insect groups Genetic diversity of the insects Coevolution as the reason for high insect diversityHow to study insect diversity: "classic" taxonomy and its pros and consHow to study insect diversity: modern methods and examples of their useConservation of insect diversity in theory and praxisThe importance of insect diversity for humans.
Annotation
IN CASE THAT ANY FOREIGN STUDENT IS ATTENDING THE LECTURE, THE COURSE IS TAUGHT IN ENGLISH. ALL PRESENTATIONS ARE IN ENGLISH.
How many species of insects are there in the world? Do we know why is the insect the most diverse group of animals? Is this exceptional diversity present in all groups of insects or just in some of them and why? Was the insect diversity so high even in the past? What are the reasons to study insect diversity, and what are the pitfalls? Are the insect taxonomists really proper scientists and are the museum collections good for anything? What are the usual and controversial ways to study insect biodiversity? Why is insect collecting not allowed and not prohibited? Has insect biodiversity even had some direct impact on a human beings? The lecture provides the basic information concerning the insect diversity allowing to answer and discuss the above (and many more) questions.
The course is open for all students (bachelor, master, and doctoral level) without any special requirements, but previous passing of some basic Invertebrate Zoology and/or Basics of Evolutionary Biology courses may be an advantage. Contact M. Fikáček (mfikacek@gmail.com) in case you are not sure whether to sign for the course or not.
In winter semester 2020/21 the course will run in a usual way until the epidemiological situation and internal rules of Charles University allow that. In case the situation will worsen, the course will continue in an online way via Skype or Zoom (which also applies for the final exam).
In 2021/22 will all lectures by M. Fikáček (8 lectures including the first one) and by P. Janšta (2 lectures) be online, because they are both abroad for this semester.