Biodiversity

Understanding the diversity of organisms has been one of the fundamental aims of biology since the discipline first emerged. This research direction focuses on the comprehensive study of biological diversity. It therefore examines not only the taxonomic and morphological description of organismal diversity and the relationships among organisms, but above all their phylogeny and evolution. The research covers population characteristics of model taxa, including population structure, dispersal, interspecific interactions and biogeographic parameters. It also focuses on trophic networks, with the aim of clarifying the relationship between biological diversity and food specialization; patterns of biological diversity along environmental gradients, including altitudinal, latitudinal, successional and anthropogenic disturbance gradients; and the processes behind speciation, adaptive radiation and reproductive isolation, which are essential for understanding the mechanisms of evolution.

Our research also addresses the biodiversity of anthropogenic ecosystems, with an emphasis on the ecology of post-industrial and industrial habitats and applications in ecological management and practical habitat conservation.

This research direction can be divided into seven main research areas, although these overlap to varying degrees. They are led by senior researchers who are recognized specialists in particular aspects of biodiversity research and in selected groups of organisms. More than 20 researchers and a number of doctoral students are involved in these activities, many of whom are employed within ongoing research projects. The accredited doctoral study programme Biology is closely linked to this research direction. Research results are regularly published in prestigious scientific journals.

Research Teams

Major Projects in the Last Five Years

  • GAČR 25-16274S: Rapid environmental changes as a key to understanding maladaptive behaviour in freshwater communities, 1/2024–12/2026
  • GAČR 22-05024S: Evolution of angel insects (Zoraptera): from fossils and comparative morphology to cytogenetics and transcriptomes, 1/2022–12/2024
  • GAČR 22-29971S: Is the formation of the gut microbiome in herbivorous insects a process driven by stochastic effects or deterministic interactions?, 1/2022–12/2024
  • GAČR 25-17553S: Deciphering the role of the gut microbiome in the diversification of food niches in butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) using taxa with unusual feeding strategies, 1/2025–12/2027
  • LA (FWF – Austria) 25-19891L: Coexistence of cryptic species of a key freshwater benthic crustacean
  • TAČR SS07010206: The role and management of neglected types of urban greenery for the sustainable development of settlements in the context of climate change, TAČR, Environment for Life Programme, 5/2024–12/2026

Significant publications

  • Ashrafi, H., Anker, A. a Ďuriš, Z. Molecular phylogeny of Salmoneus Holthuis, 1955 and its satellite genera (Decapoda: Caridea: Alpheidae) reveals hidden diversity and multiple instances of morphological and ecological convergence. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 2025, 203(2), zlae175
  • Bilkova, E., Šigutová, H., Pyszko, P., Prieložná, V., & Dolný, A. Adapting a country-specific Dragonfly Biotic Index: Framework for seven Central European countries and transboundary pattern analysis. Ecological Indicators. 2025, 170, 113111.
  • Burdíková, N., Kaspřák, D., Kjærandsen, J., Tóthová, A. Š., & Ševčík, J. Molecular phylogeny of the fungus gnat subfamilies Sciophilinae and Leiinae (Mycetophilidae), with notes on Sciaroidea incertae sedis (Diptera: Bibionomorpha). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 2024, 202(1), zlad176.
  • Daňková, K., Hadrava, J., Straka, J., Mikát, M., Exnerová, A., Hulva, P., ... & Prokop, J. Highly accurate Batesian mimicry of wasps dates back to the Early Oligocene and was driven by non-passerine birds. Current Biology, 2025, 35(8), 1901-1909.
  • Dolezalkova-Kastankova, M., Dedukh, D., Labajová, V., Pustovalova, E. a Choleva, L. Inheritance patterns of male asexuality in hybrid males of a water frog Pelophylax esculentus. Scientific Reports. 2024, 14(1), 22221.
  • Faucheux, M. J., Pačková, G., Kočárek, P. a Kundrata, R. An initial comparative study on the antennal morphology of Zoraptera (Insecta) with special reference to the sensilla. Scientific Reports. 2025, 15(1), 24057.
  • Mikula, P., Tomášek, O., Romportl, D., Aikins, T. K., Avendaño, J. E., Braimoh-Azaki, B. D., ... Grim, T. … & Albrecht, T. Bird tolerance to humans in open tropical ecosystems. Nature Communications. 2023, 14(1), 2146.
  • Pyszko, P., Šigutová, H., Ševčík, J., Drgová, M., Hařovská, D. a Drozd, P. Ambrosia gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and their microbial symbionts as a neglected model of fungus-farming evolution. FEMS Microbiology Reviews, 2025, 49, fuaf010.
  • Šigutová, H., Pyszko, P., Bílková, E. a Dolný, A. Highly Conserved Ecosystems Facing Climate Change: Rapid Shifts in Odonata Assemblages of Central European Bogs. Global Change Biology. 2025, 31(4), e70183.
  • Šmejkal, M., Kalous, L., Auwerx, J., Gorule, P. A., Jarić, I., Dočkal, O., Fedorčák, J., Muška, M., Thomas, K., Takács, P., Ferincz, Á., Choleva, L., Lamatsch, D. K., Wanzenböck, J. a Van Wichelen, J. Wetland fish in peril: A synergy between habitat loss and biological invasions drives the extinction of neglected native fauna. Biological Conservation. 2025, 302, 110948.

Updated: 05. 06. 2026