Vertebrates are without doubts the most popular and longest studied group of organisms. However, our
understanding of vertebrate biology and systematics has changed dramatically in recent decades with the advent
of new research techniques and new fossil discoveries. The goal of the course is to describe the major transitions
in vertebrate evolution and to introduce the fascinating diversity of vertebrates in space and time. Lectures will
focus on the present-day groups of vertebrates, their distribution on Earth, up-to-date systematic relationships, and
biological details ranging from genomes through anatomy, ecology, and behaviour to community level. Students
will be also briefly guided through the 500-million-year history of the vertebrates and familiarised with the
major vertebrate groups that have ruled the world in the past.
Poslední úprava: Munclinger Pavel, doc. Mgr., Ph.D. (25.09.2025)
Podmínky zakončení předmětu
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Poslední úprava: Peterková Jindřiška, Ing. (28.04.2022)
Literatura - angličtina
Vertebrates: Pough F. H., Bemis W. E., McGuire B. & Janis C. M. (2022) Vertebrate life. Basic textbook, many editions, try to get the latest one. Prothero D. R. (2022) Vertebrate evolution. From origins to dinosaurs and beyond. CRC Press. Linzey D. W. (2020) Vertebrate Biology. Johns Hopkins University Press.
Fishes: Facey D. E., Bowen B. W., Collette B. B. & Helfman G. (2022) Diversity of Fishes - Biology, Evolution and Ecology. John Wiley and Sons Ltd.
Amphibians: AmphibiaWeb; https://amphibiaweb.org/ Amphibian Species of the World; https://amphibiansoftheworld.amnh.org/ Classification of amphibians
Reptiles: Reptile Database; http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/advanced_search Exhaustive list of all species including details on their distribution, systematics and taxonomy Vit & Caldwell (2014): Herpetology, An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles. Academic Press
Lovich & Gibbons (2021): Turtles of the World: A Guide to Every Family. Princeton University Press Gower & Zaher (2022). The Origin and Early Evolutionary History of Snakes. Cambridge University Press Caldwell (2021). The Origin of Snakes. CRC Press
Crocodyles: Grigg G. & Kirschner D. (2015) Biology and Evolution of Crocodylians. Csiro publishig. Everything about crocodyles in detail. Pterosaurs: Witton M. P. (2013) Pterosaurs. Princeton University Press. Evolution, biology, amazing illustrations. Paul G. S. (2022) Princeton Field Guide to Pterosaurs. Dinosaurs: Fastowsky D. E. & Weishampel D. B. (2021) Dinosaurs. A Concise Natural History. Cambridge University Press. Ecellent textbook Benton M. J. (2021) Dinosaurs. New visions of a lost world. Thames & Hudson, London. New facts and reconstructions. Also a few pterosaurs, ichthyosaurs, early birds and mammals. Paul G. S. (2016) Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs. Illustrated checklist, nice short introductory chapters. Birds: Elphick J. (2016) Birds. A complete guide to their biology and behaviour. Natural Hirtory Museum. London Short, comprehensive. Lovette I. J. & Fitzpatrick J. W. (2016) The Cornell Lab of Ornothology Handbook of Bird Biology. Detailed
Mayr G. (2017) Avian Evolution. The fossil record of birds and its paleobiological significance. Wiley Blackwell. Evolution, fossils... Benito J. & Olivé R. (2022) Birds of Mesozoic. An illustrated field guide. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Illustrations of all known Mesozoic birds in the field guide style, nice short introductory chapters. Elphick J. (2019) The Handbook of Bird Families. Natural History Museum. London. Short, comprehensive. Winkler D. W. (2015) Bird Families of the World. An Invitation to the Spectacular Diversity of Birds. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Rather detailed invitation. Fjeldså J., Christidis L. & Ericson Per G. P. (2020) The Largest Avian Radiation. The Evolution of Perching Birds, or the Order of Passeriformes. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. del Hoyo, J. ed. (2020). All the birds of the World. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. All bird species illustrated in a single book. ebird.org
Mammals: Prothero D. R. (2017) The Princeton field guide to prehistoric mammals. Kelt D. A. & Patton J. L. (2020) A manual of the Mammalia. Brusatte S. (2022) The rise and reign of the mammals. A new history from the shadow of the dinosaurs to us. Wilson D. E., Mittermeier R. A. & Lacher T. E. (eds.) Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volumes 1-9. Lynx. Burgin C. J., Wilson D. E., Mittermeier R. E., Rylands A. B., Lacher T. E. & Sechrest W. (eds.) Illustrated Checklist of the Mammals of the World. Lynx. Prothero D. R. (2006) After the Dinosaurs: The Age of Mammals (Life of the Past). Indiana University Press. Kemp T. S. (2005) The Origin and Evolution of Mammals. Oxford University Press.
Poslední úprava: Gáliková Kristýna, Mgr. et Mgr., DiS. (24.10.2025)
Požadavky ke zkoušce - angličtina
Standard oral examination based on knowledge from lectures
Poslední úprava: Munclinger Pavel, doc. Mgr., Ph.D. (25.09.2025)
Crocodiles, Pterosaurs, Dinosaurs, Birds – evolution, features, main groups, diversity
Synapsida
Extinct lineages (Protomammals)
Monotremata, Metatheria, Placentals – evolution, features, main groups, diversity
Human evolution
Poslední úprava: Munclinger Pavel, doc. Mgr., Ph.D. (06.10.2025)
Výsledky učení - angličtina
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding
Define and explain fundamental phylogenetic and systematic concepts, including monophyly, apomorphy, synapomorphy, homology, analogy, and the Biological Species Concept.
Identify and describe the unique morphological, embryological, and physiological synapomorphies that define vertebrates (e.g., neural crest, axial skeleton, pharyngeal slits).
Trace the evolutionary history and major transitional steps in the vertebrate lineage, from the first agnathans (jawless vertebrates) to modern forms.
Explain the key adaptations that facilitated the Invasion and Conquest of Land, focusing on changes in reproduction (e.g., amniotic egg, placenta), locomotion, respiration, and circulation.
Characterize the major extant and extinct groups within the vertebrate phylogeny (Agnathans, Chondrichthyans, Sarcopterygians, Actinopterygians, Amphibians, Sauropsids, Synapsids), detailing their distinguishing features and ecological roles.
Discuss the significance of genome duplications (e.g., whole-genome duplication) in shaping vertebrate evolution and diversity.
Skills
Analyze and interpret phylogenetic trees, correctly identifying basal groups, sister taxa, and evolutionary relationships based on morphological or molecular data.
Distinguish the defining features of major vertebrate clades (e.g., placoid scales in Chondrichthyans, feathers in Aves, hair in Mammals) through morphological descriptions.
Apply the principles of binomial nomenclature to correctly cite and recognize species names within a systematic context.
Synthesize information from multiple sources to construct coherent hypotheses regarding evolutionary pathways or phylogenetic placement of vertebrate groups.
Competencies
Evaluate the role of specific evolutionary innovations (e.g., jaws, the amniotic egg, endothermy) in driving the diversification and ecological success of different vertebrate groups.
Relate the body plan and physiological characteristics of a specific vertebrate group to its particular environment and life strategies (e.g., buoyancy control in fishes, respiration in amphibians).
Critically assess current hypotheses regarding human evolution and its place within the broader mammalian and synapsid phylogeny.
Communicate effectively about the vast scope of global vertebrate diversity, including taxonomic classification, evolutionary relationships, and conservation status.
Poslední úprava: Munclinger Pavel, doc. Mgr., Ph.D. (15.12.2025)
