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The course is designed for 1st-year students of the follow-up master’s program in Parasitology and is usually held in the second half of June. It is recommended that students have completed lectures and practical exercises in fundamental parasitology courses, especially Medical Entomology (B160P26 and B160C26), and optionally Biology of Parasitic Protozoa (B160P37 and B160C30) and Helminth Biology (B160P33 and B160C28). Due to the timing of the course, it is not recommended to enroll during the 3rd year of the bachelor’s program, unless the student plans to complete their degree in the autumn term.
The course lasts 7 full days (plus half-days for arrival and departure) and takes place at the Ruda Field Station (Veselí nad Lužnicí). It focuses on practical methods for collecting parasites, capturing and examining their hosts (amphibians, birds, small mammals, and livestock) in the field, as well as subsequent processing of the collected material in a field laboratory. Students gain experience in identification, fixation, preservation, and documentation of parasites and hosts, and learn to integrate field and laboratory work with the theoretical foundations of parasitology and its ecological and epidemiological context. Last update: Votýpka Jan, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (08.01.2026)
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Materiály z přednášek v pdf (z kurzů entomologie, helmintologie a protozoologie) Veškerá potřebná literatura bude dostupná během praktik v příruční knihovně. Last update: Votýpka Jan, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (08.01.2026)
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Requirements:
Last update: Votýpka Jan, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (08.01.2026)
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The course includes an intensive field and laboratory practicum focused on the demonstration and identification of parasites (arthropods, helminths, and protozoa) of both wild and domestic animals. Students observe the ontogeny and life cycles of selected parasitic groups under natural conditions. Main course content: · Methods for collecting parasites and examining their hosts, including the capture of small mammals, birds, amphibians, and blood-feeding arthropods. · Systematic dissections of hosts to detect the presence of endoparasites and ectoparasites. · Preparation, fixation, and preservation of parasitic material for identification and further processing. · Identification of parasites using morphological keys, online databases (e.g., BioLog), and molecular tools. · Capture and processing of aquatic and terrestrial molluscs, collection of aquatic insect larvae and other arthropods, and demonstration of transmitted parasites. · Isolation of live parasites for in vitro cultivation and further study. · Documentation of collected material through notes, drawings, and photographs. The course emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, integrating zoology, ecology, parasitology, epidemiology, behavioral and botanical knowledge, and promotes safe and ethically responsible handling of live animals and biological material. Last update: Votýpka Jan, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (08.01.2026)
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After completing the 7-day intensive field course, the student will be able to: Knowledge · Describe the main groups of parasites (arthropods, helminths, protozoa) affecting wild and domestic animals, including their morphology, life cycles, and host interactions. · Explain the ecological and epidemiological context of parasite–host relationships, including behavior, environment, and population dynamics. · Understand the principles and ethics of working with wild and domesticated animals, including animal welfare regulations and safe handling procedures. · Integrate knowledge from zoology, ecology, botany, parasitology, epidemiology, and behavioral sciences to analyze field and laboratory data. · Understand the historical and practical context of field parasitology, including methods for host sampling, parasite isolation, and in vitro cultivation. Skills · Apply a wide range of field methods for parasite collection: trapping small mammals, collecting ectoparasites, capturing birds and bats, trapping blood-sucking dipterans, and collecting aquatic larvae and mollusks. · Conduct systematic dissections of small mammals, birds, and invertebrates to detect the presence of parasites. · Prepare, fix, and preserve parasitic material for identification and further processing. · Identify parasite species using morphological keys, online databases (e.g., BioLog), and molecular tools. · Analyze field and laboratory data, create structured records, and interpret results in ecological, behavioral, and epidemiological contexts. · Work effectively in teams, planning and coordinating tasks in both field and laboratory settings. · Produce documentation and protocols, including drawings, photographs, and detailed notes of collected material. Competences · Integrate field observations, laboratory analyses, and theoretical knowledge for a comprehensive understanding of parasite biology and ecology. · Critically evaluate different collection methods, host–parasite relationships, and ecological interactions. · Demonstrate ethical responsibility and adhere to safe working practices with live animals and biological materials. · Apply a multidisciplinary approach, linking zoological, ecological, behavioral, botanical, and epidemiological knowledge in a parasitological context. · Actively participate in collaborative work, share knowledge, and provide feedback within the team. · Plan and conduct long-term fieldwork, organize materials and time efficiently, and adapt to variable conditions. · Adapt to diverse field and experimental methods and critically assess the advantages and limitations of different techniques. Last update: Votýpka Jan, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (07.01.2026)
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