Institute of Zoology SAS
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Bentický život v krasových prameňoch: Ekologická izolovanosť pramenného habitatu, funkčné zloženie a fylogenetická diverzita bentických organizmov
DNA barcoding of Slovakia (SK-BOL), as a part of international initiative International Barcode of Life (iBOL)
DNA barcoding Slovenska (SK-BOL), súčasť medzinárodnej iniciatívy International Barcode of Life (iBOL)
Ecology of sexual selection
Ekológia pohlavného výberu
| Duration: |
1.7.2021 - 30.6.2025 |
| Program: |
SRDA |
| Project leader: |
doc. RNDr. Vidlička Ľubomír CSc. |
| Annotation: | Models of sexual selection primarily involve Fisher's runaway sexual selection, selection for good genes, handicap principle and sexual conflict. These processes are, however, significantly influenced by global environmental change which cause direct and indirect types of environmental pollution. In this project, we use a well-known model spider species Pisaura mirabilis in which males exhibit conspicuous form of nuptial feeding (male transfer of nutrient to the female) during courtship to test whether environmental change influences evolution of mating behavior. Specifically, we will investigate both direct effects (i.e., heavy metals accumulation) and indirect effects (i.e., decreased prey availability) of environmental pollution on sexual selection. Furthermore, we deal evolutionary questions regarding physiological costs of nuptial feeding to males. Results of this investigation will have broad implications for the evolution of sexual selection in animals under environmental change. |
Expression and function of calcitonin-like peptides and their receptors in ticks
Expresia a funkcia calcitonínu podobných peptidov a ich receptorov u kliešťov
| Duration: |
1.7.2022 - 30.6.2026 |
| Program: |
SRDA |
| Project leader: |
Ing. Roller Ladislav PhD. |
| Annotation: | In this project we will focus on identification, expression and functional analysis of tick peptides related to
evolutionarily conserved calcitonins. In insects and vertebrates, these peptides control essential physiological
functions such as water and ion balance, metabolism, feeding behaviour and reproduction. We will use the ticks
Ixodes ricinus and I. scapularis as model species, as the role of neuropeptides in these vectors of dangerous
pathogens is poorly understood. To elucidate signalling pathways of tick calcitonin-like peptides (CTs), we will use
bioinformatics, cDNA cloning, qRT-PCR, in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemical staining with newly developed antibodies against tick CTs. Predicted receptors for CTs will be functionally characterised and their
spatial and temporal expression in tick organs determined by qRT-PCR. Electrophysiological techniques and microscopic video analysis will be used to determine effects of CTs on the salivary glands, digestive tract and
reproductive organs in vitro. Changes in production and activity of digestive enzymes in intestinal extracts will be
analysed by Western blots. We will investigate peptide-receptor signalling pathways by suppressing expression of CTs receptors by RNA interference (RNAi). A very important part of this project is detailed analysis of effects of vaccination or CT receptor suppression by RNAi on transmission of pathogens Borrelia burgdorferi and B. afzelii. These modern and original approaches could reveal new mechanisms in tick blood feeding and reproduction, as well as very complex interactions between ticks, pathogens and hosts. |
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Funkčná analýza a produkcia bioaktívnych látok hmyzu a kliešťov
Hormonal regulation of Drosophila metabolism via gonad-derived steroids and interacting peptides
Hormonálna regulácia metabolizmu drozdofily pomocou steroidov produkovaných v gonádach a s nimi interagujúcich peptidov
Invasive cockroach Planuncus tingitanus (Blattaria) in Slovakia - expansion of species, ecology and ethology.
Invázny švábik Planuncus tingitanus (Blattaria) na Slovensku - šírenie, ekológia a etológia.
Metabolic functions of insect gonad-derived hormones
Metabolické účinky pohlavných hormónov hmyzu
Mesostigmatic mites associated with subcorticolous habitats and wood-destroying insects in Slovakia – taxonomy, ecology and chorology of the species of Digamasellidae (Acari: Parasitiformes).
Mezostigmátne roztoče so vzťahom k podkôrnym habitatom a drevokaznému hmyzu na Slovensku – taxonómia, ekológia a chorológia druhov čeľade Digamasellidae (Acari: Parasitiformes).
Neuroendocrine regulation of energy metabolism in the Drosophila melanogaster model
Neuroendokrinná regulácia energetického metabolizmu v modeli Drosophila melanogaster
Neuropeptide regulators: revealing the secrets of neuronal control and behaviour of tsetse flies
Neuropeptidové regulátory: odhaľovanie tajomstiev kontroly neurónov a správania tse-tse múch
Reproductive strategies and relation to acoustics and migration: case studies on Reed Warbler and Lesser Grey Shrike
Reprodukčné stratégie vo vzťahu k akustickým parametrom a migračným stratégiám: štúdie na trsteniarikovi bahennom (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) a strakošovi kolesárovi (Lanius minor).
| Duration: |
1.1.2020 - 31.12.2023 |
| Program: |
VEGA |
| Project leader: |
RNDr. Darolová Alžbeta CSc. |
| Annotation: | Song of passerines have several functions, like territory defense and mate attraction. By using of reproduced
song of higher and lower quality in the Reed Warbler we will simulate occupied territories by males of different
quality. We will determine the male strategy of territory choice affected by simulating quality of neighbor song, the
female mate choice in relation to quality of neighbor song and evaluate the maternal investment of females into
eggs in terms of clutch size, egg yolk testosterone and egg white lysozyme, in dependence on quality of neighbor
song. Long-distance migrant songbirds are among the most endangered species. Their migration strategies are
almost unknown and their relation to reproductive strategy, population trend and endangering factors is being not
explained sufficiently. Using geolocators we will study the migration strategies and routes of selected individuals
of the Lesser Grey Shrike and analyze their breeding success as well local and global factors of endangerement. |
Study of mitochondrial genome evolution using yeast Kluyveromyces lactis
Štúdium evolúcie mitochondriálneho genómu pomocou kvasinky Kluyveromyces lactis
The occurrence of common as well as atypical tick species in Slovakia, and their role in the circulation of tick-borne agents.
Výskyt bežných ako aj netypických druhov kliešťov na Slovensku a ich úloha v cirkulácii kliešťami prenášaných patogénov.
| Duration: |
1.1.2021 - 31.12.2024 |
| Program: |
VEGA |
| Project leader: |
Mgr. Rusňáková Tarageľová Veronika PhD. |
| Annotation: | Ixodes ricinus is the most common tick in Central Europe, that transmits wide range of pathogenic agents. In Slovakia, many studies were carried out regarding the circulation of pathogens for which the Ixodes ricinus is the main vector.
Recently the occurrence of newly described species Ixodes inopinatus, that is morphologically almost identical with the I. ricinus, was confirmed in Europe. Based on the preliminary studies this tick species is competent vector of infectious disease agents. So it is essential to know whether this tick species is present in Slovakia. Moreover, it is important to find out its vector competence. Due to climating changes, in Slovakia we can observe and expect the occurrence of tick species that are usually common in warmer habitats and southern regions of Europe. Some of these ticks are an important vectors of dangerous pathogens. That is why in our research we will also study the occurrence and possible spread of exotic ticks that can be introduced to Slovakia by various hosts. |
The role of ectoparasite-ectoparasite interactions in the transmission of vector-borne parasites
Význam interakcií medzi ektoparazitmi pre prenos vektormi-prenášaných patogénov
| Duration: |
1.1.2020 - 31.12.2023 |
| Program: |
VEGA |
| Project leader: |
Mgr. Václav Radovan PhD. |
| Annotation: | One of the biggest challenges faced by ecologists is to understand how and to what extent interspecific interactions within and between different guilds influence community structure, abundance of specific species or biodiversity of organisms of interest such as pathogens. In spite of a general acceptance of the existence of such a complex system, most ecological interactions are studied in relative isolation. The goal of this project is to see how the interactions between a certain host and a certain vector-borne parasite are affected by the complexity of ectoparasite-ectoparasite interactions. We specifically aim to establish if the interactions among multiple blood-feeding dipteran ectoparasites can influence the susceptibility of an avian host to some of the ectoparasites and/or pathogens that they vector. Namely, we plan to reveal if host susceptibility to haemosporidians can be mediated by 1) ectoparasite-ectoparasite interference or 2) modulation of host immunity by background ectoparasite pressure. |
The role of lizards, hedgehogs and hard ticks in the ecology of dangerous bacterial and protozoan vector borne pathogens in urban and suburban conditions of Slovakia
Význam jašteríc, ježov a ixodových kliešťov v ekológii nebezpečných, vektormi prenášaných bakteriálnych a protozoárnych patogénov v urbánnych a suburbánnych podmienkach Slovenska
| Duration: |
1.1.2022 - 31.12.2025 |
| Program: |
VEGA |
| Project leader: |
MVDr. Didyk Yuliya PhD. |
| Annotation: | Species interactions within ecological communities are the main reason for the emergence of new infectious diseases that an increasingly changing due to anthropogenic influences and climate change (1,2). These changes seen in most city areas, which are characterized by an urban environment. In most modern epidemics, environmental factors play a more important role in the development of the disease than the evolutionary changes of pathogens or hosts (3). It is very important to understand the ecology of vectors and host reservoirs, which play an important role in the emergence and success of parasite transmission (4,5). We propose to investigate the circulation of medically and veterinary important tick-borne pathogens, with the focus on the role of vector and host ecology in urban and suburban conditions in Slovakia. Lizards and hedgehogs as model groups from city agglomerates in association with hard ticks and tick-borne pathogens are of paramount importance to public health and wildlife protection (6,7). |
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Zraniteľnosť vybraných prírodne a antropogénne narušených ekosystémov vo vzťahu k prebiehajúcej zmene klímy
The total number of projects: 17
