Advanced invertebrate zoology - MB170P07

• Title: Advanced invertebrate zoology
• Czech title: Pokročilá zoologie bezobratlých
• Guaranteed by: Department of Zoology (31-170)
• Faculty: Faculty of Science
• Actual: from 2024
• Semester: winter
• E-Credits: 7
• Examination process: winter s.:
• Hours per week, examination: winter s.:3/0, C+Ex [HT]
• Extent per academic year: 1 [weeks]
• Capacity: unlimited
• Min. number of students: unlimited
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: taught
• Language: English
• Note: enabled for web enrollment; priority enrollment if the course is part of the study plan
• Guarantor: Mgr. Ondřej Korábek, Ph.D.
• Teacher(s): Mgr. Ondřej Korábek, Ph.D.; RNDr. Věra Opatová, Ph.D.; Mgr. Tomáš Pánek, Ph.D.; RNDr. František Šťáhlavský, Ph.D.

Annotation

English

The course provides an overview of all invertebrate phyla, their basic characteristics and phylogenetic relationships. The course focuses on morphology, ecology, systematics and evolution of non-parasitic Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelmintes, Arthropoda (except Hexapoda), Ectoprocta, Annelida and Mollusca. The lecture is complemented by practical lab sessions focused on morphology and anatomy of selected above-mentioned groups.

Last update: Korábek Ondřej, Mgr., Ph.D. (07.10.2025)

Czech

The course provides an overview of all invertebrate phyla, their basic characteristics and phylogenetic relationships. The course focuses on morphology, ecology, systematics and evolution of Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelmintes, Arthropoda (except Hexapoda), Ectoprocta, Annelida and Mollusca. The lecture is complemented by practical lab sessions focused on morphology and anatomy of selected above-mentioned groups.

Last update: Korábek Ondřej, Mgr., Ph.D. (07.10.2025)

Literature

English

Giribet G., Edgecombe G.D.: The Invertebrate tree of life. Princeton University Press. 2020

Last update: Gáliková Kristýna, Mgr. et Mgr., DiS. (24.10.2025)

Czech

Giribet G., Edgecombe G.D.: The Invertebrate tree of life. Princeton University Press. 2020
Zrzavý J. 2006: Fylogeneze živočišné říše. Scientia.

Last update: Opatová Věra, RNDr., Ph.D. (23.01.2023)

Requirements to the exam

The requirements:

I) attendance and active participation in the laboratory practices, II) oral exam

 

Last update: Korábek Ondřej, Mgr., Ph.D. (23.08.2023)

Syllabus

1. Animal phylogeny (Tomáš Pánek)
2. Non-bilaterian phyla, introduction to Bilateria (Tomáš Pánek)
3. Deuterostomia, introduction to Spiralia (Ondřej Korábek)
4. Spiralia (Ondřej Korábek)
5. Annelida, Mollusca (Ondřej Korábek)
6. Ecdysozoa, introduction to Arthropoda (František Šťáhlavský)
7. Mandibulata (František Šťáhlavský)
8. Chelicerata (Věra Opatová)
9. Reproduction, life histories, movement (Ondřej Korábek)
10. Digestion, excretion, respiration (Věra Opatová)
11. Multicellularity, body plans, animal genomics (Tomáš Pánek)

Last update: Korábek Ondřej, Mgr., Ph.D. (23.08.2023)

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students will be able to:

• Describe the morphology, anatomy, ecology, and evolutionary relationships of major invertebrate phyla, with emphasis on Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Annelida, Mollusca, and non-hexapod Arthropoda.

• Explain the fundamental principles of invertebrate systematics and phylogeny, including current hypotheses on animal evolution and body plan diversification.

• Compare and contrast structural and functional adaptations across major invertebrate groups in relation to their ecological roles and life histories.

• Identify representatives of selected invertebrate taxa to major taxonomic groups based on morphological and anatomical characteristics.

• Apply phylogenetic frameworks to discuss the position of major invertebrate lineages within Metazoa.

• Demonstrate practical skills in microscopic observation, specimen handling, and dissection of selected invertebrates.

Last update: Gáliková Kristýna, Mgr. et Mgr., DiS. (21.10.2025)