Fakulta tropického zemědělství

About
People
Ongoing research topics
Publications
Participation in Scientific Conferences
Cooperation/Networking
Contact
Team news

Symmetry journal

Virtuální prohlídka Lány

About

The Animal Physiology and Behaviour team was created in 2018. The research activity of the team is focused on the links between physiological and behavioural patterns in wild and domestic species, with a special interest on mammals, including:

Feeding ecology, diet selection, and digestive efficiency;
Development of secondary sexual traits, like horns or antlers;
Reproductive behaviour, milk production and composition, and suckling behaviour;
Social structures, animal communication, and physiological effects of animal welfare and husbandry practices;
Haematology, and biochemical and hormonal profiles;
Food safety, meat production and quality;
Metabolic, infectious and foodborne diseases (zoonoses), parasitological monitoring of livestock and wild species.

Currently, our team is conducting research projects worldwide, with preference to tropical and subtropical areas, including Czech Republic, Ecuador, Mongolia, Namibia, Nigeria, Philippines, South Africa, Spain, and Uruguay.

The activity of the team is based on three main facilities: the Laboratory of Animal Science and the Common Eland and Guanaco Experimental Farms at Lány.

Join our Facebook page and don't miss any news!

Follow us on Instagram to see how our research is going!

Follow our ResearchGate page and don't miss any of our publications!

People

Team coordinator:

doc. Francisco Ceacero Herrador, Ph.D.

Main researchers:

Prof. MVDr. Daniela Lukešová, CSc.
doc. Tersia Needham Ph.D.
Ing. Radim Kotrba, Ph.D.
Ing. Tamara Fedorova, Ph.D.
Mgr. Martina Komárková, Ph.D.

PhD students:

Ing. Anna Bernátková – Behavioural ecology of Mongolian ungulates
Ing. Jana Marešová – Breeding management practices and reproductive performance in Camelids
Ing. Veit Ny – Influence of selected amino acids in the performance and ecology of Cervids
MSc. Muhammad Ali Mian – Factors affecting small ruminant breeding and meat production in selected regions in Pakistan
Ing. Abubakar Sadiq Musa – Effects of routine handling in the husbandry and welfare of common elands
MSc. Battogtokh Nasanbat – Biodiversity and ecological interactions among large mammals in Trans Altai Gobi Desert, Mongolia
Mgr. Jan Mengr – Factors affecting secondary sex ratio and survival in captive Cervids
MSc. Hajra Munir – Captive breeding and reintroduction of the endangered Visayan spotted deer (Rusa alfredi)
PhDr. Mgr. Jericó Consolación – Reproductive biology of common elands

MSc students:

Kateřina Berková, Pauline Raphanaud, Moyo Tumelo, Anita Bírošíková, Antoine Bercy, Temitope Omogbemi, Adelusi Adesewa, Joshi Kundankumar, Maja Rendulić, Madiha Arfan, Marketa Vostarková, Iva Pešková.

Bc students:

Karolína Šmejkalová, Barbora Guthová, Anežka Malá, Lenka Olivie Laštovičková.

External students:

MSc. Kateřina Šandlová (PhD, University of South Bohemia); Ing. Stipan Čupić (PhD, CZU-FLD); Anna Kolářová and Eliška Macháčková (MSc, University of South Bohemia); Lukáš Kohout (MSc, Charles University in Prague).

Ongoing research topics

Behavioural ecology and social structure of herds of Przewalski´s horses (Equuus ferus przewalskii) in Gobi B, Mongolia. – Cooperation with Prague Zoo.
Effects of amino acid supplementation and immunocastration in growth, digestive efficiency, blood biochemistry and carcass quality of farmed fallow deer (Dama dama).
Husbandry practices and welfare in farmed common eland (Taurotragus oryx).
Seasonal patterns of blood biochemistry and hormonal profile in farmed common eland (Taurotragus oryx).
Ante- and post-mortem strategies to improve the meat quality of underutilized ungulates.
Optimization of traditional South African meat products.
Patterns of habituation to routine handling in farmed common eland (Taurotragus oryx).
Segregation patterns between large mammals in Gobi A, Mongolia.
Population dynamics of Gobi bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) in Gobi A, Mongolia.
Diet selection of Mongolian saiga (Saiga tatarica mongolica) and overlap with other large herbivores. – Cooperation with WMC research team, Prague Zoo and WWF-Mongolia.
Factors affecting secondary sex ratio and survival in captive Bactrian deer (Cervus hanglu bactrianus).
Genetic variability of the captive population of Bactrian deer (Cervus hanglu bactrianus). – Cooperation with MME research team.
Niche segregation between species of Agama genus in Senegal.
Herpetological diversity in Southern Namibia.

Enrichment techniques for captive Javan rusa (Rusa timorensis) and white-lipped deer (Cervus albirostris). – Cooperation with Prague Zoo.
Analysis of cognitive abilities of captive Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii) regarding the use of puzzle feeders. – Cooperation with Prague Zoo.
Effects of olfactory enrichment and presentation on tigers (Panthera tigris). – Cooperation with Prague Zoo.
Monitoring of the in-situ captive population of Visayan spotted deer (Rusa alfredi) and effectiveness of reintroduction program. – Cooperation with Talarak Foundation.
Intra- and inter-specific variability in faecal nutrients in Saharan gazelles.
Effects of immunocastration in farmed common eland (Taurotragus oryx).
Personality traits and social success in horse bands of Exmoor ponies.
Influence of secondary sexual traits in the social rank of captive common eland (Taurotragus oryx).
Factors affecting antler breakage in wild cervids under different climatic environments.
Repeatability of courtship patterns in feral Exmoor ponies.
Phylogenetic influence in antler structure and mechanical properties.
Climatic, social and ecological factors affecting reproductive performance of Przewalski´s horses (Equuus ferus przewalskii) in Gobi B, Mongolia. – Cooperation with Prague Zoo.
Breeding Management Practices and Reproductive Performance in Camelids.
Maternal and nursing behaviour of llamas.
Welfare of working donkeys in the Mediterranean area.
Adaptations of horses to extreme climatic conditions.
Antipredatory behaviour in horses.
Intra- and inter-specific variability in faecal nutrients in ungulates.
Human-horse communication.
Aromatherapy use in ungulate breeding.
Non-invasive faecal hormone monitoring in ungulates.

Publications

In press

Bernátková A, Pařiková A, Cisneros R, Čupić S, Ceacero F (in press). Ecological effects on the nutritional value of bromeliads, and its influence on Andean bears´ diet selection. Ursus.

2021

Čupić S, García AJ, Holá M, Ceacero F (2021). Evaluation of factors inducing variability of faecal nutrients in captive red deer under variable demands. Scientific Reports, 11:2341.
Gankhuyag G, Ceacero F, Yansanjav A, Hejcmanová P, Davaa L, Namkhaidorj S, Černá-Bolfíková B (2021) Long-term trends in livestock and wildlife interactions: do livestock numbers predict hunting of wolves, foxes, and rodents in Mongolian rangelands? Journal for Nature Conservation, 60:125969.
Hoffman LC, van Schalkwyk DL, Muller M, Needham T, McMillin KW (2021). Carcass Yields and Physical-Chemical Meat Quality Characteristics of Namibian Red Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus) as Influenced by Sex and Muscle. Foods, 10:2347.
Lebedová N, Bureš D, Needham T, Čítek J, Dlubalová Z, Stupka R, Bartoň L (2020). Histochemical characterisation of high-value beef muscles from different breeds, and its relation to tenderness. Livestock Science, 247:104468.
Musa AS, Needham T, Neradilova S, Kotrba R, Ganswindt A, Ceacero F (2021). Habituation of common eland (Taurotragus oryx) to intensive routine handling, and the effect of immunocastration thereon. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 237:105294.
Nasanbat B, Ceacero F, Ravchig SA (2021). A small neighborhood well-organized: Seasonal and daily activity patterns of the community of large and mid-sized mammals around waterholes in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia. Frontiers in Zoology, 18:25.
Needham T, Engels RA, Hoffman LC (2021). Sensory characteristics of male impala (Aepyceros melampus) meat, produced under varying production systems and nutrition. Foods, 10:619.
Ny V, Houška M, Pavela R, Tříska J (2021). Potential benefits of incorporating Astragalus membranaceus into the diet of people undergoing disease treatment: An overview. Journal of Functional Foods, 77:104339
Rato C, Sillero N, Ceacero F, García-Munoz E, Carretero MA (2021). A survival story: evolutionary history of the Iberian Algyroides (Squamata: Lacertidae), an endemic lizard relict. Biodiversity and Conservation 30:2707-2729.
Šandlová K, Komárková M, Ceacero F (2021) Oh daddy where are thou: Social context modifies foals’ behaviour differently for colts and fillies. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 100:103543

2020

Bureš D, Bartoň L, Kudrnáčová E, Kotrba R, Hoffman LC (2020). The Effect of Barley and Lysine Supplementation on the longissimus lumborum Meat Quality of Pasture-Raised Fallow Deer (Dama dama). Foods, 9:1255.
Cappelli J, Ceacero F, Landete-Castillejos T, Gallego L, García A (2020). Smaller does not mean worse: variation of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) antlers from two distant populations in their mechanical and structural properties and mineral profile. Journal of Zoology, 311:66-75.
Cawthorn DM, Fitzhenry LB, Kotrba R, Bureš D, Hoffman LC (2020). Chemical Composition of Wild Fallow Deer (Dama dama) Meat from South Africa: A Preliminary Evaluation. Foods, 9:598.
Ceacero F, Clar MA, Ny V, Kotrba R (2020). Differential effects of ruminally-protected amino acids on fattening of fallow deer in two culling periods. Animal, 14:648-655.
Esattore B, Villagrán M, Pluháček J, Komárková M, Dušek A, Kotrba R, Bartošová J, Bartoš L (2020). To beat or not to beat: Behavioral plasticity during the antler growth period affects cortisol but not testosterone concentrations in red deer (Cervus elaphus) males. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 113552.
Hoffman L, van Schalkwyk D, Muller M, Needham T, van Rensburg B, McMillin K (2020). Carcass yields and physiochemical meat quality characteristics of Namibian gemsbok (Oryx gazella) as influenced by muscle, gender and age. Meat Science, 169: 108208.
Lázničková I, Fedorova T, Štolcová M, Kubátová A (2020). Urinary reproductive hormones influence seed germination within diluted urine of heifers: alternative pregnancy diagnostic method. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 46:8090-8099.
Lebedová N, Needham T, Čítek J, Okrouhlá M, Zadinová K, Pokorná K, Stupka R (2020). Comparison of?two muscle fibre staining techniques and their relation to?pork quality traits. Czech Journal of Animal Sciences, 65:193-204.
Needham T, Kotrba R, Hoffman L, Bureš D (2020). Ante-and post-mortem strategies to improve the meat quality of high-value muscles harvested from farmed male common eland (Taurotragus oryx). Meat Science, 186:108183.
Needham T, Laubser J, Kotrba R, Bureš D, Hoffman L (2020). Influence of ageing on the physical qualities of the longissimus thoracis et lumborum and biceps femoris muscles from male and female free-ranging common eland (Taurotragus oryx). Meat Science, 159:107922.
Needham T, Engels RA, Bureš D, Kotrba R, van Rensburg BJ, Hoffman LC (2020). Carcass Yields and Physiochemical Meat Quality of Semi-extensive and Intensively Farmed Impala (Aepyceros melampus). Foods, 9:418.
Needham T, Engels RA, Hoffman LC (2020). Physical Changes during Post-Mortem Ageing of High-Value Impala (Aepyceros Melampus) Steaks. Applied Sciences, 10:4485.
Needham T, van Zyl K, Hoffman LC (2020). Correlations between PORCUS classification and androstenone in boars, and effects of cooking methods thereon. South African Journal of Animal Science, 50:120-128.
Needham T, Gous RM, Lambrechts H, Pieterse E, Hoffman LC (2020). Combined effect of dietary protein, ractopamine, and immunocastration on boar taint compounds, and using testicle parameters as an indicator of success. Foods, 9:1665.
Ny V, Kotrba R, Cappelli J, Bureš D, Clar MA, García AJ, Landete-Castillejos T, Bartoň L, Ceacero F (2020). Effects of Lysine and Methionine supplementation on first antler growth in fallow deer (Dama dama). Small Ruminant Research, 187:106119.
Šandlová K, Komarková M, Ceacero F (2020). Daddy, daddy cool: stallion-foal relationships in a socially-natural herd of Exmoor ponies. Animal Cognition, 23:781-793.

2019

Ceacero F (2019). Multiple physiological constraints affect the antler growth, morphology and evolution. Journal of Morphology, S71-S72.
Ceacero F, Komárková M, García AJ, Gallego L (2019). Different maternal investment strategies for male and female calves in a polygynous mammal. Current Zoology, 65:269-277.
Ceacero F, Villagrán M, Gambín-Pozo P, García AJ, Cappelli J, Ungerfeld R (2019). Better antlers when surrounded by females? The social context influence mineralization in pampas deer (Ozotozeros bezoarticus). Ethology, Ecology and Evolution, 31:358-368.
Černý J, Buyannemekh B, Needham T, Gankhuyag G, Oyuntsetseg D (2019). Hard ticks and tick-borne pathogens in Mongolia—A review. Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases, 10:101268.
Fitzhenry LB, Cawthorn DM, Muchenje V, Bures D, Kotrba R, Hoffman LC (2019). Carcass composition and yields of wild fallow deer (Dama dama) in South Africa. African Journal of Wildlife Research, 49:100–110.
Kolbábek P, Maxová P, Kouřimská L, Lukešová D, Kotrba R (2019). Sensory evaluation of liver/meat pâtés made from fresh or frozen eland meat and beef. Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 50:71-79.
Kudrnáčová E, Bureš D, Bartoň L, Kotrba R, Ceacero F, Hoffman L, Kouřimská L (2019). The effect of barley and Lysine supplementation of pasture-based diet on growth, carcass composition and physical quality attributes of meat from farmed fallow deer (Dama dama). Animals, 9:33.
Needham T, Lambrechts H, Hoffman LC (2019). Extending the interval between second vaccination and slaughter: I. Effects on growth, scrotal size and stress response of immunocastrated ram lambs. Animal, 13:1952-1961.
Needham T, Lambrechts H, Hoffman LC (2019). Extension of the interval between second vaccination and slaughter: II. Changes in the reproductive capacity of immunocastrated ram lambs. Animal, 13:1962-1971.
Needham T, Lambrechts H, Hoffman LC (2019). Influence of immunocastration vaccine administration on serum androgen concentration and testis activity in ram lambs. Small Ruminants Research, 170:82-90.
Needham T, Laubser JG, Kotrba R, Bureš D, Hoffman LC (2019). Sex influence on muscle yield and physiochemical characteristics of common eland (Taurotragus oryx) meat. Meat Science, 152:41-48.
Needham T, Laubser J, Kotrba R, Bureš D, Smyth H, Hoffman L (2019). Sensory characteristics of the longissimus thoracis et lumborum and biceps femoris muscles from male and female common eland (Taurotragus oryx). Meat Science, 158:107918.
Pebriansyah A, Lukešová D, Knížková I, Silberová P, Kunc P (2019). The effect of natural phytoadditive Silybum marianum on performance in broiler rabbits. Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 50:40-45.
Pluháček J, Ceacero F, Garguláková A, Kubičková S, Komárková M, King SRB, Moehlman P, Schoenecker K, Šimek J, Brandlová K, Gloneková M (Eds.) (2019). 2nd International Wild Equid Conference. Book of Abstracts. Czech University of Life Sciences Prague. 215 pp.
Ros-Santaella JL, Kotrba R, Pintus E (2019). High-energy diet enhances spermatogenic function and increases sperm midpiece length in fallow deer (Dama dama) yearlings. Royal Society Open Science, 6:181972.
Zelenka L Knížková I, Lukešová D, Kunc P (2019) Study on the Effects of Sex and Age on Proximal Femoral Fractures in Two Culturally Diverse Countries. Acta Chirurgiae Orthopaedicae et Traumatologiae Cechoslovaca, 86:330-333.

2018

Bordes CNM, Ceacero F, Kotrba R (2018). Cues and mechanisms for lateral exposure preference in the common eland (Taurotragus oryx). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 72:120.
Cappelli J, García AJ, Kotrba R, Gambin P, Landete-Castillejos T, Gallego L, Ceacero F (2018). Internal bone in Common eland's horn: composition and mechanical properties of an spiral fighting structure. Journal of Anatomy, 232:72-79.
Cawthorn DM, Fitzhenry LB, Muchenje V, Bureš D, Kotrba R, Hoffman LC (2018). Physical quality attributes of male and female wild fallow deer (Dama dama) muscles. Meat Science, 137:168-175.
Ceacero F, Gaspar-López E, García AJ, Landete-Castillejos T, Gallego L (2018). Social rank affects the hematological profile in red deer hinds. Veterinary Record, 182:436.
Kubátová A, Fedorova T (2018). Urinalysis of pregnant and non-pregnant alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus). Journal of Camel Practice and Research, 25:303-306.
Needham T, Lambrechts H, Hoffman LC (2018). Application of immunocastration in a commercial Dohne Merino ram flock before weaning: a technical note. South African Journal of Animal Science, 48:1115-1120.
Pavlik A, Slama P, Bures D, Kotrba R (2018). Effect of feeding on growth and blood biochemistry of male fallow deer. Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Food Sciences, 8:911-913.
Zelenka L, Alt J, Knížková I, Kunc P, Lukešová D (2018). Epidemiological study of the influence of gender, age, mobility and accident time on fractures of the proximal femur. Acta Chirurgiae Orthopaedicae et Traumatologiae Cechoslovaca, 85:40-45.

Participation in Scientific Conferences

2nd World Congress on Veterinary Medicine. (Online). 2021.
35th International Union of Game Biologists. Budapest (Hungary). 2021.
2021 Equine Science Society Virtual Symposium. (Online). 2021.
XI Symposium of Mediterranean Lizards. (Online). 2021.
XVI Iberian Congress of Herpetology. Lisbon (Portugal). 2021.
28th Annual Conference of the Wildlife Society. (Online). 2021.
TROPENTAG 2021. Stuttgart. (Germany). 2021.
27th International Bear Association Conference. Kalispell (USA). 2021.
50th Conference of the South African Wildlife Management Association. Berg-en-Dal (South Africa). 2021.
72nd Annual Meeting of the European Association of Animal Production. Davos (Switzerland). 2021.
100th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mammalogy. (Online). 2021.
24th Congress of the European Society of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition (Online). 2020.
European Commission’s Farm to Fork 2020 Conference (Online). 2020
71st Annual Meeting of European Association of Animal Production. (Online). 2020.
European Association of Zoos and Aquaria Annual Meeting (Online). 2020.
23rd International Congress of Zoology. Cape Town (South Africa). 2020
Zoologické Dny. Olomouc (Czech Republic). 2020.
46 etologická konference ČSEtS. Bratislava (Slovakia). 2019.
34th International Union of Game Biologists. Kaunas (Lithuania). 2019.
Wildlife Research and Conservation 2019. Berlin (Germany). 2019.
65th International Congress of Meat Science and Technology. Berlin (Germany). 2019.
27th Animal Science Days. Prague (Czech Republic). 2019.
2nd International Wild Equid Conference. Prague (Czech Republic). 2019.
Annual meeting of the Czech Herpetological Society. Prague (Czech Republic). 2019.
Meeting of the Deer Commission of the Czech and Slovak Society Association of Zoos. Plzen (Czech Republic). 2019.
Tropentag 2019. Kassel and Goettingen (Germany). 2019.
Zoologické Dny. Brno (Czech Republic). 2019.
12th International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology – Symposium “Evolution, Development, and Regulation of Ruminant Headgear”. Prague (Czech Republic). 2019.
45 etologická konference ČSEtS. Ostrava (Czech Republic). 2018.
5th Global Biodiversity Conservation Conference. Prague (Czech Republic). 2018.
6th Infectious and Parasitic Diseases of Animals. Košice (Slovak Republic). 2018.
XIX. Risk Factors of Food Chain. Mátrafüred (Hungary). 2018.
International Conference on Biodiversity and Climate Change. Ozamiz City (Philippines). 2018.
International Deer Biology Conference. Estes Park (USA). 2018.
Zoologické dny. Prague (Czech Republic). 2018.

Cooperation/Networking

(Institutions with co-authored scientific publications with our team)

University of Queensland. St. Lucia, Australia
Inner Mongolia University. Hohhot, ChinaCharles
University. Prague, Czech Republic
Institute of Animal Science. Prague, Czech Republic
Mendel University in Brno. Brno, Czech Republic
University of South Bohemia. České Budějovice, Czech Republic
Military University Hospital. Prague, Czech Republic
Food Research Institute Prague. Prague, Czech Republic
Crop Research Institute. Prague, Czech Republic
Global Change Research Institute. Prague, Czech Republic
Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja. Loja, Ecuador
School of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Toulouse, France
School of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Tolouse, France
National University of Mongolia. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Mongolian Academy of Sciences. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Mindanao State University. Naawan, Philippines
Unviversity of Porto. Porto, Portugal
University of Aveiro. Aveiro, Portugal
Stellenbosch University. Stellenbosch, South Africa
University of Pretoria. Pretoria, South Africa
University of KwaZulu-Natal. Scottsville, South Africa
University of Mpumalanga. Nelspruit, South Africa
University of Fort Hare. Alice, South Africa
University of Castilla-La Mancha. Albacete, Spain
University of Jaén. Jaén, Spain
Wildlife Research Institute. Ciudad Real, Spain
Universidad de la República. Montevideo, Uruguay

Contact

Team mail: apbteam@outlook.com
Team coordinator: doc. Francisco Ceacero Herrador Ph.D.; ceacero@ftz.czu.cz; +420 22438 3457

Team news

27.4.2021

Dr. Francisco Ceacero from FTA became a guest editor in journal Symmetry

Dear colleagues, It is my pleasure to invite you for contributions to a new special issue of the journal Symmetry (JIF=2.645, Q2 in Multidisciplinary Sciences) with the topic “Fluctuating Asymmetry in Ungulates”, for which I will be guest editor together with Dr. Roberta Chirichella from the University of Sassari, Italy.

7.7.2020

Daddy, daddy cool – new research on stallion-foal relationships in Exmoor ponies.

Paternal behaviour of stallions was revealed in the study of our team members in collaboration with colleagues from the University of South Bohemia, which was recently published in the prestigious journal Animal Cognition.

19.6.2020

Field work on Aruba

In 2018 researchers Prof. Daniela Lukešová and Dr. Jiří Černý from Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences (CZU Prague), initiated field work on Aruba in the Caribbean Sea, focusing their study area to the surrounding districts of Oranjestad