Bi2005 Phylogeny of Animals

Faculty of Science
Spring 2026

The course is not taught in Spring 2026

Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
doc. Dipl. Biol. Jiří Schlaghamerský, Ph.D. (lecturer)
RNDr. Andrea Špalek Tóthová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Dipl. Biol. Jiří Schlaghamerský, Ph.D.
Department of Botany and Zoology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: RNDr. Andrea Špalek Tóthová, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Botany and Zoology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Prerequisites
No pre-requisites
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Abstract
Students are introduced to the phylogeny of animals (Metazoa) and the resulting taxonomic diversity. Major taxa are briefly characterized and their phylogeny explained. This will also include a brief introduction to unicellular eukaryotes (protists) with focus on groups either more closely related to metazoans or at least heterotrophic and thus traditionally grouped as “Protozoa” and studied by zoologists.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course students should be able to: Explain the main principles and major terms used in zoological, phylogenetic systematics; Name and describe the major taxa introduced during the course, in particular - know their scientific names; - explain their mutual phylogenetic relationships; - name and describe their main characters, including those of high phylogenetic relevance; - name where and how they live (major habitats, modes of foraging, etc.).
Key topics
1) Introduction to the course, the history of classifying animals (zoological systematics) and the principles of phylogenetic systematics; 2) Brief introduction to (heterotrophic) protists ("Protozoa") 3) Animalia senstu stricto or Metazoa - multicellular true animals: closest unicellular relatives, primitive clades: Porifera, Ctenophora, Cnidaria; 4)Bilateria, Xenacoelomorpha, Proto/Deuterostomia, Lophotrochozoa: Ectoprocta = Bryozoa, Rotifera, Gastrotricha, Platyhelminthes; 5) Lophotrochozoa: Nemertea, Sipuncula, Annelida; 6) Lophotrochozoa: Annelida, Brachiozoa; 7) Ecdysozoa: Nematoda, Nematomorpha, Panarthropoda: Onychophora, Tardigrada; 8) Arthropoda: Chelicerata, Myriapoda, Pancrustacea; 9) Hexapoda; 10)Deuterostomia: Hemichordata, Echinodermata; 11)Deuterostomia: Chordata: Cephalochordata, Urochordata - Tunicata; 12) Chordata:"Agnatha", Gnathostomata: Chondrychtyes, Osteognathostomata; 13) Chordata: Tetrapoda
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
Lectures
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
Written exam in the examination period after the course.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught every week.
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