Prof. RNDr. Martin Reichard, Ph.D.
Institute of Vertebrate Biology
Czech Academy of Sciences
Kvetna 8, 603 65 Brno
Czech Republic
Phone +420 543 422 522
Email reichard (at) ivb.cz
We are interested in evolutionary ecology – to learn how ecological factors shape evolutionary trajectories and how evolutionary adaptations and constraints modify species ecology. We combine fieldwork with controlled experiments in captivity using behavioural, genetic, histological and physiological approaches.
Using freshwater fish as our study models, we investigate:
1. evolution of ageing and its life history consequences
2. coevolution in brood parasites
3. the role of invasive species in rapid evolution
4. sexual selection, mating system evolution, and their role in diversification
5. mechanisms of (fish) embryo adaptations to extreme environments
Our primary study organisms are bitterling fishes (Acheilognathinae), cuckoo catfish (Synodontis multipunctatus) and African annual fishes (genus Nothobranchius).
We combine fieldwork with controlled experiments in the lab and mesocosm using behavioural, genetic, histological and physiological approaches.
