We study communities of aquatic insects, mainly orders Mayflies (Ephemeroptera), Stoneflies (Plecoptera) and Caddishflies (Trichoptera). We concentrate our attention on the taxonomy and phylogeny of individual species, their distribution, requirements and life cycles. For the phylogenetic studies, we use methods of traditional and molecular taxonomy. We also participate on the long-term monitoring of the freshwater insects in the Czech Republic.
The main objective of this project is to determine the present state of so far poorly known species diversity of a model aquatic insect group (the order Ephemeroptera) in selected areas of the Pontomediterranean and Pontocaspian Regions and acquire new data on ecological range of larvae, life cycles, and the role of individual species in aquatic ecosystems. Besides description of new taxa, new data obtained will extend our knowledge on historical development of the European aquatic ecosystems. The material collected is analyzed from the chorological point of view to explain the origin of individual faunistic elements and determine dispersion routes. Moreover, the material will be also analyzed by molecular taxonomic methods (Polymerase Chain Reaction, mtDNA sequence) to test a scientific phylographic hypothesis on rapid postglacial radiation in this region representing a very important faunistic centre of the whole Westpalaearctic Region.
