Institute of Vertebrate Biology - Staff

doc. Mgr. Tomáš Albrecht, Ph.D.

Position: full-time researcher
Research topics: evolutionary ecology, ecology of birds
Department: External research facility Studenec
Phone: +420 560 590 614
E-mail: albrechtivb.cz

Running Projects

Biology of ageing: mechanisms and patterns of senescence in free-living birds (2015-2017)

Latitudinal and altitudinal pattenrs in avian- pace-of-life syndromes: a study of AfrotropicaL AND European songbirds (2017-2019)

Finished Projects

Components of sexual selection in the monogamous Grey Partridge

Evolution of sexual ornaments and their information content: a comparative study in isolated populations with divergent signal traits and preferences (2014-2016)

Extra-pair fertilizations and the strength of sexual selection in socially monogamous passerine

Post-copulatory sexual selection and the biology of sperm: within-population processes and interspecific patterns in passerine birds (2012-2016)

Variation in resource allocation between reproductive phases in waterfowl

International experience

2009 – National Centre for Biosystematics (NCB), Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Norway,
field research in Africa (Cameroon, South Africa) and Europe.

Selected international collaborations

Bielefeld University (Tim Schmoll) – sperm biology,
Cornell University, Ithaca, USA (Maren Vitousek) – signaling function of sexual ornamentation,
Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Germany (Bart Kempenaers, Wolfgang Forstmeier, Henrik Brumm, Mihai Valcu, Martin Bulla) – various projects on sexual selection,
Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Norway (Jan T. Lifjeld, Arild Johnsen, Melissah Rowe) – various projects on post-copulatory sexual selection and sperm biology,
University of Colorado, Boulder, USA (Rebecca J. Safran) – speciation in barn swallows.

Current Ph.D. students

Marie Adámková (Masaryk University, Brno)
Hana Bainová (Charles University, Prague; co-supervisor)
Barbora Blažková (Masaryk University, Brno)
Lukáš Bobek (Masaryk University, Brno)
Martin Janča (Masaryk University, Brno)
Tereza Králová (Masaryk University, Brno; co-supervisor)
Lucie Kropáčková (Charles University, Prague; co-supervisor)
Romana Michálková (Charles University, Prague)
Peter Mikula (Charles University, Prague)
Pavlína Opatová (Masaryk University, Brno)
Adéla Petrželková (Charles University, Prague; co-supervisor)
Martina Soudková (Charles University, Prague; currently at maternal leave)

Former Ph.D. students

David Hořák (Charles University, Prague)
Veronika Javůrková (Charles University, Prague)
Petr Klvaňa (Charles University, Prague)
Jakub Kreisinger (Charles University, Prague)
Taiwo C. Omotoriogun (University of Oslo, Oslo; co-supervisor)
Radka Poláková (Masaryk University, Brno; co-supervisor)
Marta Promerová (Masaryk University, Brno; co-supervisor)
Jan Schnitzer (Charles University, Prague)
Michal Vinkler (Charles University, Prague)

Publications

2017

Blažek R., Polačik M., Kačer P., Cellerino A., Řežucha R., Methling C., Tomášek O., Syslová K., Terzibasi Tozzini E., Albrecht T., Vrtílek M., Reichard M.: Repeated intraspecific divergence in life span and aging of African annual fishes along an aridity gradient, Evolution 71 (2017) 386-402.

Edme A., Zobač P., Opatová P., Šplíchalová P., Munclinger P., Albrecht T., Krist M.: Do ornaments, arrival date, and sperm size influence mating and paternity success in the collared flycatcher?, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 71 (2017) .

Forstmeier W., Ihle M., Opatová P., Martin K., Knief U., Albrechtová J., Albrecht T., Kempenaers B.: Testing the phenotype-linked fertility hypothesis in the presence and absence of inbreeding, Journal of Evolutionary Biology (2017) .

Kreisinger J., Kropáčková L., Petrželková A., Adámková M., Tomášek O., Martin J.-F., Michálková R., Albrecht T.: Temporal stability and the effect of transgenerational transfer on fecal microbiota structure in a long distance migratory bird, Frontiers in Microbiology 8 (2017) .

Petrželková A., Pöysä H., Klvaňa P., Albrecht T., Hořák D.: Egg morphology fails to identify nests parasitized by conspecifics in common pochard: a test based on protein fingerprinting and including female relatedness, Journal of avian biology 48 (2017) 229-234.

Rymešová D., Králová T., Promerová M., Bryja J., Tomášek O., Svobodová J., Šmilauer P., Šálek M., Albrecht T.: Mate choice for major histocompatibility complex complementarity in a strictly monogamous bird, the grey partridge (Perdix perdix), Frontiers in Zoology 14 (2017) .

Tomášek O., Albrechtová J., Němcová M., Opatová P., Albrecht T.: Trade-off between carotenoid-based sexual ornamentation and sperm resistance to oxidative challenge, Proceedings of the Royal Society. B - Biological Sciences 284 (2017) .

2016

Bílková B., Albrecht T., Chudíčková M., Holáň V., Piálek J., Vinkler M.: Application of Concanavalin A during immune responsiveness skin-swelling tests facilitates measurement interpretation in mammalian ecology, Ecology and Evolution 6 (2016) 4551-4564.

Gohli J., Lifjeld J. T., Albrecht T.: Migration distance is positively associated with sex-linked genetic diversity in passerine birds, Ethology, Ecology and Evolution (2016) 42-52.

Omotoriogun T. C., Albrecht T., Hořák D., Laskemoen T., Ottosson U., Rowe M., Sedláček O., Lifjeld J. T.: Sperm size evolution in African greenbuls (Passeriformes: Pycnonotidae), Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 117 (2016) 337-349.

Omotoriogun T. C., Laskemoen T., Rowe M., Albrecht T., Bowie R. C. K., Sedláček O., Hořák D., Ottosson U., Lifjeld J. T.: Variation in sperm morphology among Afrotropical sunbirds, Ibis 158 (2016) 155-166.

Opatová P., Ihle M., Albrechtová J., Tomášek O., Kempenaers B., Forstmeier W., Albrecht T.: Inbreeding depression of sperm traits in the zebra finch Taeniopygia guttata, Ecology and Evolution 6 (2016) 295-304.

Safran R. J., Scordato E. S. C., Wilkins M. R., Hubbard J. K., Jenkins B. R., Albrecht T., Flaxman S. M., Karaardic H., Vortman Y., Lotem A., Nosil P., Pap P., Shen S., Chan S.-F., Parchman T. L., Kane N. C.: Genome-wide differentiation in closely related populations: the roles of selection and geographic isolation, Molecular Ecology 25 (2016) 3865-3883.

Svobodová J., Gabrielová B., Hyršl P., Albrecht T., Vinkler M.: Melanin and carotenoid ornaments are related to the individual condition in free-living grey partridges (Perdix perdix), Journal of Ornithology 157 (2016) 1007-1015.

Tomášek O., Gabrielová B., Kačer P., Maršík P., Svobodová J., Syslová K., Vinkler M., Albrecht T.: Opposing effects of oxidative challenge and carotenoids on antioxidant status and condition-dependent sexual signalling, Scientific Reports 6 (2016) 23546.

Vitousek M. N., Tomášek O., Albrecht T., Wilkins M. R., Safran R. J.: Signal traits and oxidative stress: a comparative study across populations with divergent signals, Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 4 (2016) 56.

Wilkins M. R., Karaardic H., Vortman Y., Parchman T. L., Albrecht T., Petrželková A., Özkan L., Pap P. L., Hubbard J. K., Hund A. K., Safran R. J.: Phenotypic differentiation is associated with divergent sexual selection among closely related barn swallow populations, Journal of Evolutionary Biology 29 (2016) 2410-2421.

2015

Koláčková M., Prokůpková L., Albrecht T., Hořák D.: Incubation temperature influences trade-off between structural size and energy reserves in mallard hatchlings, Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 88 (2015) 1-10.

Kreisinger J., Čížková D., Kropáčková L., Albrecht T.: Cloacal microbiome structure in a long-distance migratory bird assessed using deep 16sRNA pyrosequencing, PLoS ONE 10 (2015) .

Petrželková A., Michálková R., Albrechtová J., Cepák J., Honza M., Kreisinger J., Munclinger P., Soudková M., Tomášek O., Albrecht T.: Brood parasitism and quasi-parasitism in the European barn swallow Hirundo rustica rustica, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 69 (2015) 1405-1414.

Rowe M., Albrecht T., Cramer E. R. A., Johnsen A., Laskemoen T., Weir J. T., Lifjeld J. T.: Postcopulatory sexual selection is associated with accelerated evolution of sperm morphology, Evolution 69 (2015) 1044-1052.

Sedláček O., Vokurková J., Ferenc M., Djomo Nana E., Albrecht T., Hořák D.: A comparison of point counts with a new acoustic sampling method: a case study of a bird community from the montane forests of Mount Cameroon, Ostrich 86 (2015) 213-220.

Vinkler M., Bainová H., Bryjová A., Tomášek O., Albrecht T., Bryja J.: Characterisation of Toll-like receptors 4, 5 and 7 and their genetic variation in the grey partridge, Genetica 143 (2015) 101-112.

Winternitz J., Promerová M., Poláková R., Vinkler M., Schnitzer J., Munclinger P., Babik W., Radwan J., Bryja J., Albrecht T.: Effects of heterozygosity and MHC diversity on patterns of extra-pair paternity in the socially monogamous scarlet rosefinch, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 69 (2015) 459-469.

2014

Albrechtová J., Albrecht T., Ďureje Ľ., Pallazola V. A., Piálek J.: Sperm morphology in two house mouse subspecies: Do wild-derived strains and wild mice tell the same story?, PLoS ONE 9 (2014) .

Bainová H., Králová T., Bryjová A., Albrecht T., Bryja J., Vinkler M.: First evidence of independent pseudogenization of Toll-like receptor 5 in passerine birds, Developmental and Comparative Immunology 45 (2014) 151-155.

Djomo Nana E., Sedláček O., Bayly N., Ferenc M., Albrecht T., Reif J., Motombi F. N., Hořák D.: Comparison of avian assemblage structures in two upper montane forests of the Cameroon volcanic line: lessons for bird conservation, Biodiversity and Conservation 23 (2014) 1469-1484.

Djomo Nana E., Munclinger P., Ferenc M., Sedláček O., Albrecht T., Hořák D.: Sexing monomorphic western mountain greenbuls on Mount Cameroon using morphometric measurements, African Zoology 49 (2014) 247-252.

Javůrková V., Albrecht T., Mrázek J., Kreisinger J.: Effect of intermittent incubation and clutch covering on the probability of bacterial trans-shell infection, Ibis 156 (2014) 374-386.

Koleček J., Albrecht T., Reif J.: Predictors of extinction risk of passerine birds in a Central European country, Animal Conservation 17 (2014) 498-506.

Mikula P., Hromada M., Albrecht T., Tryjanowski P.: Nest site selection and breeding success in three Turdus thrush species coexisting in an urban environment, Acta Ornithologica 49 (2014) 83-92.

Sedláček O., Mikeš M., Albrecht T., Reif J., Hořák D.: Evidence for an edge effect on avian nest predation in fragmented afromontane forests in the Bamenda-Banso Highlands, NW Cameroon, Tropical Conservation Science 7 (2014) 720-732.

Schnitzer J., Exnerová A., Poláková R., Vinkler M., Tomášek O., Munclinger P., Albrecht T.: Male ornamentation and within-pair paternity are not associated with male provisioning rates in scarlet rosefinches Carpodacus erythrinus, Acta Ethologica 17 (2014) 89-97.

Suvorov P., Svobodová J., Albrecht T.: Habitat edges affect patterns of artificial nest predation along a wetland-meadow boundary, Acta Oecologica-International Journal of Ecology 59 (2014) 91-96.

2013

Albrecht T., Kleven O., Kreisinger J., Laskemoen T., Omotoriogun T. C., Ottosson U., Reif J., Sedláček O., Hořák D., Robertson R. J., Lifjeld J. T.: Sperm competition in tropical versus temperate zone birds, Proceedings of the Royal Society. B - Biological Sciences 280 (2013) 20122434.

Hermosell I. G., Laskemoen T., Rowe M., Moller A. P., Mousseau T. A., Albrecht T., Lifjeld J. T.: Patterns of sperm damage in Chernobyl passerine birds suggest a trade-off between sperm length and integrity, Biology Letters 9 (2013) 20130530.

Hušek J., Adamík P., Albrecht T., Cepák J., Kania W., Mikolášková E., Tkadlec E., Stenseth N. C.: Cyclicity and variability in prey dynamics strengthens predator numerical response: the effects of vole fluctuations on white stork productivity, Population Ecology 55 (2013) 363-375.

Champagnon J., Crochet P-A., Kreisinger J., Čížková D., Gauthier-Clerc M., Massez G., Söderquist P., Albrecht T., Guillemain M.: Assessing the genetic impact of massive restocking on wild mallard, Animal Conservation 16 (2013) 295-305.

Laskemoen T., Albrecht T., Bonisoli-Alquati A., Cepák J., De Lope F., Hermosell I. G., Johannessen L. E., Kleven O., Marzal A., Mousseau T. A., Moller A. P., Robertson R. J., Rudolfsen G., Saino N., Vortman Y., Lifjeld J. T.: Variation in sperm morphometry and sperm competition among barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) populations, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 67 (2013) 301-309.

Petrželková A., Klvaňa P., Albrecht T., Hořák D.: Conspecific brood parasitism and host clutch size in Common Pochards Aythya ferina, Acta Ornithologica 48 (2013) 103-108.

Promerová M., Králová T., Bryjová A., Albrecht T., Bryja J.: MHC class IIB Exon 2 Polymorphism in the Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix) is shaped by selection, recombination and gene conversion, PLoS ONE 8 (2013) .

Svobodová J., Gabrielová B., Synek P., Maršík P., Vaněk T., Albrecht T., Vinkler M.: The health signalling of ornamental traits in the Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix), Journal of Ornithology 154 (2013) 717-725.

Šandera M., Albrecht T., Stopka P.: Variation in apical hook length reflects the intensity of sperm competition in murine rodents, PLoS ONE 8 (2013) .

Šťovíček O., Kreisinger J., Javůrková V., Albrecht T.: High rates of conspecific brood parasitism revealed by microsatellite analysis in a diving duck, the common pochard Aythya ferina, Journal of avian biology 44 (2013) 369-375.

2012

Albrechtová J., Albrecht T., Baird S. J. E., Macholán M., Rudolfsen G., Munclinger P., Tucker P. K., Piálek J.: Sperm-related phenotypes implicated in both maintenance and breakdown of a natural species barrier in the house mouse, Proceedings of the Royal Society. B - Biological Sciences 279 (2012) 4803-4810.

Baird Stuart J. E., Ribas A., Macholán M., Albrecht T., Piálek J., Goüy de Bellocq J.: Where are the wormy mice? A re-examination of hybrid parasitism in the European house mouse hybrid zone, Evolution 66 (2012) 2757-2772.

Javůrková V., Šizling A. L., Kreisinger J., Albrecht T.: An alternative theoretical approach to escape decision-making: the role of visual cues, PLoS ONE 7 (2012) .

Poláková R., Schnitzer J., Vinkler M., Bryja J., Munclinger P., Albrecht T.: Effect of extra-pair paternity and parental quality on brood sex ratio in the scarlet rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus, Folia zoologica 61 (2012) 225-232.

Promerová M., Babik W., Bryja J., Albrecht T., Stuglik M., Radwan J.: Evaluation of two approaches to genotyping major histocompatibility complex class I in a passerine—CE-SSCP and 454 pyrosequencing, Molecular Ecology Resources 12 (2012) 285-292.

Vinkler M., Schnitzer J., Munclinger P., Albrecht T.: Phytohaemagglutinin skin-swelling test in scarlet rosefinch males: low-quality birds respond more strongly, Animal Behaviour 83 (2012) 17-23.

2011

Hořák D., Sedláček O., Tószögyová A., Albrecht T., Ferenc M., Jelínek V., Storch D.: Geographic variation in avian clutch size and nest predation risk along a productivity gradient in South Africa, Ostrich 82 (2011) 175-183.

Javůrková V., Hořák D., Kreisinger J., Klvaňa P., Albrecht T.: Factors affecting sleep/vigilance behaviour in incubating mallards, Ethology 117 (2011) 345-355.

Promerová M., Vinkler M., Bryja J., Poláková R., Schnitzer J., Munclinger P., Albrecht T.: Occurrence of extra-pair paternity is connected to social male’s MHC-variability in the scarlet rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus, Journal of avian biology 42 (2011) 5-10.

Sak B., Kváč M., Květoňová D., Albrecht T., Piálek J.: The first report on natural Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. infections in wild East-European House Mice (Mus musculus musculus) and West-European House Mice (M. m. domesticus) in a hybrid zone across the Czech Republic–Germany border, Veterinary Parasitology 178 (2011) 246-250.

Svobodová J., Kreisinger J., Šálek M., Koubová M., Albrecht T.: Testing mechanistic explanations for mammalian predator responses to habitat edges, European Journal of Wildlife Research 57 (2011) 467-474.

Šťovíček O., Čížková D., Yang L., Albrecht T., Heckel G., Vyskočilová M., Kreisinger J.: Development of microsatellite markers for a diving duck, the common pochard (Aythya ferina), Conservation genetics resources 3 (2011) 573-576.

Vinkler M., Albrecht T.: Phylogeny, longevity and evolution of adaptive immunity, Folia zoologica 60 (2011) 277-282.

Vinkler M., Albrecht T.: Handling "immunocompetence" in ecological studies: do we operate with confused terms?, Journal of avian biology 42 (2011) 490-493.

2010

Dolečková K., Albrecht T., Mikeš L., Horák P.: Cathepsins B1 and B2 in the neuropathogenic schistosome Trichobilharzia regenti: distinct gene expression profiles and presumptive roles throughout the life cycle, Parasitology Research 107 (2010) 751-755.

Kreisinger J., Munclinger P., Javůrková V., Albrecht T.: Analysis of extra-pair paternity and conspecific brood parasitism in mallards Anas platyrhynchos using non-invasive techniques, Journal of avian biology 41 (2010) 551-557.

Lifjeld J. T., Laskemoen T., Kleven O., Albrecht T., Robertson R. J.: Sperm length variation as a predictor of extrapair paternity in passerine birds, PLoS ONE 5 (2010) .

Padyšáková E., Šálek M., Poledník L., Sedláček F., Albrecht T.: Predation on simulated duck nests in relation to nest density and landscape structure, Wildlife Research 37 (2010) 597-603.

Šálek M., Kreisinger J., Sedláček F., Albrecht T.: Do prey densities determine preferences of mammalian predators for habitat edges in an agricultural landscape?, Landscape and Urban Planning 98 (2010) 86-91.

Vinkler M., Albrecht T.: Carotenoid maintenance handicap and the physiology of carotenoid-based signalisation of health, Naturwissenschaften 97 (2010) 19-28.

Vinkler M., Bainová H., Albrecht T.: Functional analysis of the skin-swelling response to phytohaemagglutinin, Functional Ecology 24 (2010) 1081-1086.

Vinkler M., Schnitzer J., Munclinger P., Votýpka J., Albrecht T.: Haematological health assessment in a passerine with extremely high proportion of basophils in peripheral blood, Journal of Ornithology 151 (2010) 841-849.

2009

Albrecht T., Vinkler M., Schnitzer J., Poláková R., Munclinger P., Bryja J.: Extra-pair fertilizations contribute to selection on secondary male ornamentation in a socially monogamous passerine, Journal of Evolutionary Biology 22 (2009) 2020-2030.

Bímová B., Albrecht T., Macholán M., Piálek J.: Signalling components of the house mouse mate recognition system, Behavioural Processes 80 (2009) 20-27.

Honza M., Piálková R., Albrecht T., Neužilová Š.: Nest defence against conspecific intruders in the common pochard Aythya ferina: natural observations and an experimental test, Acta Ornithologica 44 (2009) 151-158.

Padyšáková E., Šálek M., Poledník L., Sedláček F., Albrecht T.: Removal of American mink increases the success of simulated nests in linear habitat, Wildlife Research 36 (2009) 225-230.

Promerová M., Albrecht T., Bryja J.: Extremely high MHC class I variation in a population of a long-distance migrant, the Scarlet Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus), Immunogenetics 61 (2009) 451-461.

Šálek M., Kreisinger J., Sedláček F., Albrecht T.: Corridor vs. hayfield matrix use by mammalian predators in an agricultural landscape, Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment (2009) 8-13.

Vinkler M., Bryjová A., Albrecht T., Bryja J.: Identification of the first toll-like receptor gene in passerine birds: TLR4 orthologue in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), Tissue Antigens 74 (2009) 32-41.

Vinkler M., Albrecht T.: The question waiting to be asked: Innate immunity receptors in the perspective of zoological research, Folia zoologica 58 (2009) 15-28.

2008

Bryja J., Patzenhauerová H., Albrecht T., Mošanský L., Stanko M., Stopka P.: Varying levels of female promiscuity in four Apodemus mice species, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 63 (2008) 251-260.

Hořák D., Klvaňa P., Albrecht T.: Why there is no negative correlation between egg size and number in the Common Pochard?, Acta Oecologica-International Journal of Ecology 33 (2008) 197-202.

Kreisinger J., Albrecht T.: Nest protection in mallards Anas platyrhynchos: untangling the role of crypsis and parental behaviour, Functional Ecology 22 (2008) 872-879.

Mays Jr. H. L., Albrecht T., Liu M., Hill G. E.: Female choice for genetic complementarity in birds: a review, Genetica 134 (2008) 147-158.

Piálek J., Vyskočilová M., Bímová B., Havelková D., Piálková J., Dufková P., Bencová V., Ďureje Ľ., Albrecht T., Hauffe H., Macholán M., Munclinger P., Storchová R., Zajícová A., Holáň V., Gregorová S., Forejt J.: Development of unique house mouse resources suitable for evolutionary studies of speciation, Journal of Heredity 99 (2008) 34-44.

2007

Albrecht T., Schnitzer J., Kreisinger J., Exnerová A., Bryja J., Munclinger P.: Extrapair paternity and the opportunity for sexual selection in long-distant migratory passerines, Behavioral Ecology 18 (2007) 477-486.

Cepáková E., Šálek M., Cepák J., Albrecht T.: Breeding of Little Ringed Plovers Charadrius dubius in farmland: do nests in fields suffer from predation?, Bird Study 54 (2007) 284-288.

Hořák D., Albrecht T., Klvaňa P., Musil P.: Inter-nest variability in the egg to hatchling mass ratio in the Common Pochard Aythya ferina: Does female body mass matter?, Acta Ornithologica 42 (2007) 33-38.

Hořák D., Albrecht T.: Using net sacks to examine the relationship between egg size and young size in Common Pochards, Journal of Field Ornithology 78 (2007) 334-339.

Poláková R., Vyskočilová M., Martin J.-F., Mays Jr. H. L., Hill G. E., Bryja J., Albrecht T.: A multiplex set of microsatellite markers for the scarlet rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus), Molecular Ecology Notes 7 (2007) 1375-1378.