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RNDr. Jan Robovský, Ph.D.

Research focus:

– evolution and phylogeny of mammals
– morphology of mammals
– genetics of zoo-populations
– animals in captivity
– domestication

Contact:

e-mail: JRobovsky@seznam.cz
tel.: +420 387 772 254
room: B 254

 

CV

Education:

– 2004 – 2011: doctoral study (RNDr., PhD.), Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice
– 2002 – 2004: master’s study, Faculty of Biology, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice
– 1999 – 2002: bachelor’s study, Faculty of Biology, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice

Professional appointments:

– since 2022: member of the editorial board of Gazella (Praha)
– since 2020: member of the editorial board of Lynx, n. s., (Praha)
– since 2020: member of the editorial board of Vesmír
– since 2020: member of the Species Committee of the Urial EEP
– 2018 – 2020: co-chair EAZA Caprinae TAGu- since 2018: co-chair of EAZA Caprinae TAG
– 2013 – 2020: expert group coordinator of UCSZOO Caprini Committee
– 2013 – 2017: editorial board member, Acta Carpathica Occidentalis
– since 2011: external exmployee, Liberec Zoo
– 2010 – 2017: external member of the Czech CITES expert group
– since 2005: employee, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice

Internships:

– 2016: Australian National University in Canberra (Prof. Colin P. Groves)
– 2010 – 2015: data collection in museum collections (Berlin, London, Sankt-Petěrburg, Moskva, Askania Nova, München, Halle, Görlitz, Leiden)
– 2003: University of Duisburg-Essen (Prof. Hynek Burda)

Fellowships and awards:

– 2011 – 2015: Biodiversity change during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition: modern analogues in relict ecosystems of Siberia, GA ČR – P504/11/0454

Teaching

PřF JU:

PřF JU:
– Animal Care (KZO/372)
– Vertebratological excursion (KZO/378)
– Mammalogy (KZO/381)
– Conservation Genetics (KZO/146)
– Zoology of Higher Vertebrates (KZO/156)
– Vertebrate Zoogeography (KZO/369)
– Preparation techniques (KZO/146)

Public lectures:
– Mammals in Czech Republic
– Domestication and domestic animals
– Discovering of new species
– Cryptozoology

Supervising

Master’s theses in prep.:
Eliška Macháčková: Os cordis in mammals (started 2021, PřF UK)
Vojtěch Kovařík: Phylogenetic and taxonomic assessment of New Guinea rodents based on phallic morphology (started 2022)
Veronika Zajícová: Alternation of skin colour in crocodiles (started 2019, ZF JU)

Doctoral theses in prep.:
Nela Nováková: Strength of phylogenetic signal in behavioural characteristics of various groups of vertebrates (started 2017)
Tereza Holicová: Comparative phylogeography of the Mongolian region based on its mammals (started 2015)
Sylvie Horáková: Penial and bacular morphology in mammals (started 2015)
Ludmila Pernerová: Genetic variability and phylogeographic structure in several ex situ population of threatened mammals (started 2011)

Bachelor’s theses:
Hrazánek, I. (2022): Somatic parameters of cervids – critical review (started 2020)
Kubíková, P. (2022): Morfologické srovnání nosorožce tuponosého a nosorožce Cottonova
Benešová, T. (2021): Morphology and biology of cloud rats (genus Crateromys and Phloeomys)
Kofránek, Z. (2020):  Phylogeography of complex Phasianus colchicus
Rollingerová, N. (2020). Age estimation in the last wild horse – Przewalski horse (Equus przewalskii) (Fakulta pedagogická – centrum biologie, geověd a envigogiky, Západočeská univerzita v Plzni)
Hájková, P. (2019). Feeding ekology of horses in the context of conservation landscape management
Anděrová, V. (2018). Knee-clicking sounds in cervids (Cervidae)
Špindlerová, A. (2017). Knee-clicking sounds in bovids (Bovidae)
Zajícová, V. (2017). Hybridization of crocodiles from the evolutionary and conservation perspective
Mrázková, N. (2016). Critical analysis of the “Sixth mass extinction“ of recent mammalian species: taxonomic history of the threatened species (consultant)
Šural, J. (2016). Critical analysis of the “Sixth mass extinction“ of recent mammalian species: range size, biogeography and fossilization ability (consultant)
Matějková, A. (2015) Are mammalian behavioural characters valuable from the phylogenetic point of view?
Hurtová, D. (2015). Have somatic parameters of wild Felidae been changes in the captivity?
Zajícová, Y. (2014). Arrangement of mane of Equidae in relation to species, pedigree and external factors (Faculty of Agriculture – University of South Bohemia, consultant)
Hůlka, M. (2013). Taxonomic variability tarsal glands of mammals
Sovová, J. (2008). The description of baculum and os clitoridis of rodents from Czech Republic (consultant)
Pohlová, L. (2008). Phylogeny of zebras with particular attention to maneless zebra
Voldřichová, M. (2007). The mammalian coat – a source of phylogenetically valuable characters?

Master’s theses:
Kavanová, V. (2022). Svalbard reindeer and its interaction with extreme polar environment
Mucinová, D. (2021). Breeding history of Ceratotherium simum cottoni in zoological gardens (Slovenská Poľnohospodárská Univerzita v Nitre, Fakulta Agrobiológie a potravinových zdrojov, supervisor-specialist)
Matějková, A. (2018) Genetic evaluation of sika deer (Cervus nippon spp.) from the conservation point of view
Hůlka, M. (2015). Morphology of mammalian eyelid glands from the evolutionary and functional perspective
Novotná, A. (2015). Have somatic parameters of wild Equidae in captivity been changing?
Tíkalová, S. (2015). The morphology of penis and baculum in selected genera of African rodents
Melichar, L. (2014). Taxonomic evaluation of phenotypic variability in plains zebra (Equus quagga) (Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, consultant)
Pintová, R. (2014). Feeding enrichment in selected felids (Faculty of Agriculture – University of South Bohemia)
Pojerová, L. (2014). Clicking in cervids – basic parametrs, origin and function (Faculty of Agriculture – University of South Bohemia)
Rochová, M. (2014). Clicking in bovids – basic parametrs, origin and function (Faculty of Agriculture – University of South Bohemia)
Zunková, K. (2014). Somatic changes due to captivity in wild canids (Faculty of Agriculture – University of South Bohemia)
Böhmová, Z. (2013). Coat pattern of Western Derby eland (Taurotragus derbianus derbianus) (Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, consultant)
Pohlová, L. (2012). Phylogenetic relationships of living Equidae
Lutovská, B. (2012). Taxonomic comparison of Derby eland and common eland (Taurotragus sp.) (Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, consultant)
Voldřichová, M. (2011). Could fur characters be a source of phylogenetic information?
Pavliska, P. (2010). Phylogeny of fur characters in Felidae (consultant)

Publications

Research papers:

2022

Zahradníčková V., Benda P., Robovský J., 2022. Sloni chovaní v Zoo Praha – soupis odborné literatury, diplomových prací a sbírkového materiálu (Elephants kept in Prague Zoo – list of scientific literature, theses and collection specimens). Gazella 47-48 (2020-2021): 187-191.

Pyszko, M., Němeček, P., Horák, O., Páral, V., Kotrba, R., Hoffmann. L. C., Robovský, J. (2022). Newly described anatomical opening on forelimb tendon in the artiodactyls and its relation to knee clicks. Sci. Rep. 12, 4362. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-08303-z

2021

Gippoliti, S., Robovský, J., & Angelici, F. M. (2021). Taxonomy and translocations of African mammals: A plea for a cautionary approachConservation1(2), 121-138.

Krásová J., Mikula O., Šumbera R.Horáková S., Robovský J., Kostin D. S., Martynov A. A., Lavrenchenko L. A., & Bryja J. (2021). The Rufous Sengi is not Elephantulus – Multilocus reconstruction of evolutionary history of sengis from the subfamily Macroscelidinae. Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 59(4), 918-932.

Nováková, N., & Robovský, J. (2021). Behaviour of cranes (family Gruidae) mirrors their phylogenetic relationshipsAvian Research, 1240. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40657-021-00275-4

Robovský J., Rookmaaker K., Groves C. P., 2021. Several zoological comments to depictions of jaguar and rhinoceros in the art of Roelandt Savery. Archivum Trebonense 15: 78-86.

2020

Axmanová I., Robovský J., Tichý L., Danihelka J., Troeva E., Protopopov A., 2020. Habitats of Pleistocene megaherbivores reconstructed from the frozen fauna remains. Ecography, 43(5), 703-713.

2019

Horáková, S., Šumbera, R., Sovová, J., & Robovský, J. (2019). The penial and bacular morphology of the solitary silvery mole-rat (Heliophobius argenteocinereus, Bathyergidae) from Malawi and evolutionary patterns across the African mole-rat family. Mammalian Biology 99, 54-62.

Král P., Bukovský J., Pluháček J., Voldřichová M., Robovský J., 2019. A case of female‑perpetrated infanticide in captive white‑lipped deer (Cervus albirostris). Journal of Ethology, 37(3), 377-382.

Rookmaaker K., Robovský J., 2019. Bibliography of Colin Peter Groves (1942-2017), an anthropologist and mammalian taxonomist. Lynx, 49, 255-294.

2018

Holicová, T., Sedláček, F., Mácová, A., Vlček, J., & Robovský, J. (2018). New record of Microtus mystacinus in eastern Kazakhstan: phylogeographical considerations. ZooKeys, 781, 67-80.

Gippoliti, S., De Francesco, T., & Robovský, J. (2018). On the shoulders of giants: Reginald Innes Pocock and integrative mammal research in museums and zoos. Mammalia, 82(6), 529-539.

Gippoliti S., & Robovský J. (2018). Lorenzo Camerano (1856–1917) and his contribution to large mammal phylogeny and taxonomy, with particular reference to the genera Capra, Rupicapra and Rangifer. Rendiconti Lincei. Scienze Fisiche e Naturali 29(2), 443-451.

Gippoliti S. & Robovský J. (2018). Ex situ Sumatran rhinoceros conservation and the agony of choice. An integration with the Managament strategy proposed by Brandt et al. (2018). Journal of Heredity, 109(7), 830-831.

Jirků M., Dostál D., Robovský J., & Šálek M. (2018). Reproduction of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) outside current resident breeding populations in Europe: evidence form the Czech Republic. Mammalia, 82(6), 592-595.

Moodley, Y., Russo, I.-R. M., Robovský, J., Dalton, D. L., Kotzé, A., Smith, S., . . . Bruford, M. W. (2018). Contrasting evolutionary history, anthropogenic declines and genetic contact in the northern and southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum). Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 285(1890). doi:10.1098/rspb.2018.1567

Pavelková-Řičánková, V., Horsák, M., Hais, M., Robovský, J., & Chytrý, M. (2018). Environmental correlates of the Late Quaternary regional extinctions of large and small Palaearctic mammals. Ecography, 41, 516-527.

Zrzavý, J., Duda, P., Robovský, J., Okřinová, I., & Řičánková, V. (2018). Phylogeny of the Caninae (Carnivora): Combining morphology, behaviour, genes and fossilsZoologica Scripta47(4), 373-389.

2017

Groves, C. P., Cotterill, F. P. D., Gippoliti, S., Robovský, J., Roos, C., Taylor, P. J., & Zinners, D. (2017). Species definitions and conservation: a review and case studies from African mammals. Conservation Genetics, 18, 1247-1256.

Král, P., & Robovský, J. (2017). Jelen bělohubý (Cervus albirostris) a jeho chov v ústecké ZOO (White-lipped deer (Cervus albirostris): the history of keeping and breeding at Ústí nad Labem ZOO. Fauna Bohemiae Septentrionalis, 41, 57-70.

Moodley, Y., Russo, I.-R. M., Dalton, D. L., Kotzé, A., Muya, S., Haubensak, P., Bálint, B., Munimanda, G. K., Deimel, C., Setzer, A., Dicks, K., Herzig-Straschil, B., Kalthoff, D. C., Siegismund, H. R., Robovský, J., O’Donoghue, P., Bruford, M. W. (2017). Extinctions, genetic erosion and conservation options for the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis). Scientific Reports, 7, 41417.

2015

Levý, E., Putnová, L., Štohl, R., Svobodová, K.,Matoušková, J., Robovský, J., Lamka, J., Vrtková, I., & Ernst, M. (2015). Utility of several microsatellite markers for the genetic characterisation of three ex situ populations of threatened caprine taxa (Capra aegagrus, C. cylindricornis and C. falconeri). Archives Animal Breeding, 58, 365-372.

Pavelková, V., Robovský, J., Riegert, J., & Zrzavý, J. (2015). Regional patterns of postglacial changes in the Palearctic mammalian diversity indicate retreat to Siberian steppes rather than extinction. Scientific Reports, 5, 12682. doi: 10.1038/srep12682.

Stachurska, A., Robovský, J., Bocian, K., & Janczarek, I. (2015). Changes of coat cover in primitive horses living on a reserve. Journal of Animal Science, 93(3), 1411-1417.

Robovský, J., Sleightholme, S. R., Vohralík, V., & Benda, P. (2015). Specimens of Thylacinus cynocephalus in collections of the Czech Republic (Mammalia: Thylacinidae). Journal of National Museum (Prague), Natural History Series, 184(2), 43-50.

2014

Pavelková Řičánková, V., Robovský,  J., & Riegert, J. (2014). Ecological Structure of Recent and Last Glacial Mammalian Faunas in Northern Eurasia: The Case of Altai-Sayan Refugium. PLoS ONE, 9(1), e85056. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0085056.

Pohlová, L., Schepsky, P., Lehmann, T., Hochkirch, A., Masopustová, R., Šimek, J., Schoo, W., Vodička, R., & Robovský, J. (2014). Defining management units for European captive aardvarks. Zoo Biology, 33(5), 433-439.

Robovský, J., Novotná, A., Voldřichová, M., Bušta, J., Benda, P., & Kůs, E. (2014). Revised catalogue of the Equidae (Mammalia, Perissodactyla) in the collection of the Hippological Museum, Slatiňany and several other collections of domestic equids in the Czech Republic. Gazella, 41, 99-121.

Robovský, J., Novotná, A., Čulík, L., Kůs, L., & Benda, P. (2014). Revised catalogue of wild equids in the collection of the National Museum, Prague, and several other collections in the Czech Republic (Perissodactyla: Equidae). Lynx, 45, 97-138.

2012

Robovský, J. (2012). Muss die A-Linie des Przewalski-Pferdes Teil einer wissenschaftlich fundierten Erhaltungsstrategie der Art werden? ZGAP Mitteilungen, 28(2), 23-28.

Melichar, L., & Robovský, J. (2012). Defence formation in the captive group of golden takin (Budorcas bedfordi). Der Zoologische Garten, 81(4), 206-209.

Sleightholme, S. R., Robovský, J., & Vohralík, V. (2012). Description of four newly discovered Thylacine pouch young and a comparison with Boardman (1945). Australian Zoologist, 36(2), 232-238.

Suchomel, J., Hrabina, P., Lupták, P., & Robovský, J. (2012). Book review – Wilson D. E. & Mittermeier R. A.: Handbook of the Mammals of the World – vol. 2, Hoofed mammals. Folia Zoologica, 61(1), 95-96.

2011

Groves, C., & Robovský, J. (2011). African rhinos and elephants: biodiversity and its preservation. Pachyderm, 50, 69-71.

Mlíkovský, J., Benda, P., Moravec, J., Robovský, J., & Ekrt, B. (2011). Emil Holub´s collection of vertebrates in the National Museum in Prague, Czech Republic. Editio Monographica Musei Nationalis Pragae, 13, 113-163.

2010

Robovský J., 2010. Jelen bělohubý a sambar skvrnitý – je pro ně v našich zoo místo? The White-lipped Deer and the Visayan Spotted Deer – is there room for them in our zoos? Gazella (Zoo Praha), 37, 183-193.

Groves, C. P., Fernando, P., & Robovský, J., (2010). The sixth rhino: a taxonomic re-assessment of the critically endangered Northern white rhinoceros. PLoS ONE, 5(4), e9706. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0009703.

Robovský, J., Anděra, M., & Benda, P. (2010). Revise catalogue of ceratomorph ungulates in the collection of the National museum Prague and several other collections in the Czech Republic (Perissodactyla: Rhinocerotidae, Tapiridae). Lynx, 41, 237-294.

Robovský, J., Muška, M., Nováková, M., Robovská-Havelková, P., Šoun, J., & Tušer, M. (2010). Poznámky k aktuálnímu výskytu morčáků velkých (Mergus merganser) na Otavě, jihozápadní Čechy. Sluka, 7, 97-102.

2009

Robovský, J. (2009). Przewalski horse: a review of controversies over its taxonomy, phylogeny and full-bloodedness. Equus (Zoo Praha), 3(1), 57-112.

Robovský, J., Gregorová, R., Hotový, J., & Benda, P. (2009). Addendum to the revised catalogue of cetaceans (Cetacea) in collections in the Czech Republic. Lynx, 40, 141-152.

2008

Robovský, J., Řičánková, V., & Zrzavý, J. (2008). Phylogeny of Arvicolinae (Mammalia, Cricetidae): utility of morphological and molecular data sets in a recently radiating clade. Zoologica Scripta, 37(6), 571-590.

2007

Robovský, J. (2007). Druhy, které jsou mezidruhovými kříženci – chránit je či nikoliv? Species that are interspecies crosses – to conserve them or not? Gazella (Zoo Praha), 34, 51-64.

Robovský, J., Audy, M.,  Schlögl, J., De Pascual, A.D., & Havelková, P. (2007). Additional report of brown-nosed coati (Nasua nasua vittata) on the tepuis – Chimantá massif, Churí tepui, Venezuela. Lynx, 38, 115-117.

2006

Robovský, J., & Benda, P. (2006). Catalogue of the cetaceans (Mammalia: Cetacea) in selected collections of the Czech Republic, with special respect to the collection of the National Museum, Praha. Journal of the National Museum, Natural History Series, 175(3-4), 107-123.

Havelková, P., Robovský, J., Audy, M., & De Pascual, A.D. (2006). Brown-nosed coati (Nasua nasua vittata) on the Roraima tepui (Carnivora: Procyonidae). Lynx, 37, 123–130.

2005

Robovský, J. (2005). Expozice zoologicky pozoruhodných savců ve Státním zámku Frýdlant v Čechách. Lynx, 36, 141-142.

2004

Robovský, J., Veselovský, Z., Gattermann, R., & Neumann, V. (2004). Profesor Ludwig Freund a jeho přínos pro mammaliologii. Lynx, 35, 281-288.

Popular science articles:

Articles in popular science magazines Vesmír and Živa

Monographs:

2020

Damois, P., Robovský, J., Mueller, D, Penello, M., Zimmermann, M., Van der Meer, R., & Voorham, M. (Eds.) (2020). Regional Collection Plan for the EAZA Caprinae Taxon Advisory Group – First edition. EAZA Executive Office, Amsterdam.

2014

Čeněk, M., Voldřichová, M., & Robovský, J. (2014). Sallačova sbírka jelenovitých. Kritický katalog (Vilém Sallač’s collection of cervids – critical catalogue). Národní zemědělské muzeum Praha, Praha.

Chapters in monographs:

2022

Robovský, J. and Jirků, M. (2022). Evolutionary origin of the European Bison, pp. 4-8. In: Olech W. and K. Perzanowski (eds.). European Bison (Bison bonasus) Strategic Species Status Review 2020. IUCN SSC Bison Specialist Group and European Bison Conservation Center, 141 pp. Available at https://www.iucn.org/commissions/ssc-groups/mammals/mammals-a-e/bison

2020

Robovský, J., Melichar, L., & Gippoliti, S. (2020)Zoos and conservation in the Anthropocene: opportunities and problems. Pp. 451-484. In Angelici, F. A., and Rossi, L. (Eds.) Problematic Wildlife II – new conservation and management challenge in the human-wildlife interactions. Springer Chasm.

2015

Ernst, M., Robovský, J., Svobodová, K., & Pohlová, L. (2015). Genetické analýzy krkonošské populace jelena evropského/Analizy genetyczne karkonoskiej populacji jelena szlachetnego. Pp. 77-82. In Šustr, P. et al. (Eds.) Jeleni v Krkonoších/Jeleniew Karkonoszach. Správa KRNAP Vrchlabí, Dyrekcja KPN Jelenia Góra.

2010

Řičánková, V., Robovský, J., & Pokorný, P. (2010). Tundras and climate change: A mammalian perspective. Pp. 151-160. In Gutierrez, B., and Pena, C. (Eds.) Tundras: Vegetation, Wildlife and Climate Trends. Nova Science Publishers.

Conferences:

– Anually EAZA Annual Conference (since 2011)
– 2nd International Wild Equid Conference, Prague 2019
– International Conference on Ruminant Phylogenetics, Munich 2013
– International Wild Equid Conference, Vienna 2012
– 12th International Conference Rodens et Spatium, Zonguldak 2010
– 8th International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, Paris 2007
– 4th European Congress of Mammalogy, Brno 2003
– 8th International Conference Rodens et Spatium, Louvain-la-Neuve 2002

Links:

ResearchGate

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