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Lubomir Peske

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Freelanced zoologist and ecologist with interests ranging from paleoeconomy, archaeozoology and osteology to population biology and animal protection. Projects and consultations in radiotracking and microelectronic applications in ornithology (projects mainly on Black Storks, Houbara Bustards, Lesser-spotted and Golden Eagles, Bald Ibises, Corncrakes, Night Herons and Egyptian Vultures but also on White Storks, Eurasian Cranes, Kites and other birds, especially raptors but also mammals).

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Kostanay State University

Валерий Ломан / Valeriy Loman

Karaganda State University

Roxana Dobrescu

Institute of Archaeology "Vasile Parvan" Bucarest, Romania

Nikolay BOKOVENKO Nikolay

Victor Varfolomeyev / Виктор Варфоломеев

Karaganda State University

Hartwick College

Anna Szécsényi-Nagy

Hungarian Academy of Sciences

Valentin Dergachev

Gabriella Kulcsar

Hungarian Academy of Sciences

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Papers by Lubomir Peske

Widespread horse-based mobility arose around 2,200 BCE in Eurasia

by João Luís Cardoso, Jan Romaniszyn, Lubomir Peske, Alexey Kovalev, Tajana Trbojević Vukičević, Anita Rapan Papeša, Tsagaan (Цагааны) Turbat (Төрбат/Турбат), Sabine Reinhold, and Katherine Kanne

Nature, 2024

Horses revolutionized human history with fast mobility. However, the timeline between their domes... more Horses revolutionized human history with fast mobility. However, the timeline between their domestication and widespread integration as a means of transportation remains contentious. Here we assemble a large collection of 475 ancient horse genomes to assess the period when these animals were first reshaped by human agency in Eurasia. We find that reproductive control of the modern domestic lineage emerged ~2,200 BCE (Before Common Era), through close kin mating and shortened generation times. Reproductive control emerged following a severe domestication bottleneck starting no earlier than ~2,700 BCE, and coincided with a sudden expansion across Eurasia that ultimately resulted in the replacement of nearly every local horse lineage. This expansion marked the rise of widespread horse-based mobility in human history, which refutes the commonly-held narrative of large horse herds accompanying the massive migration of steppe peoples across Europe ~3,000 BCE and earlier. Finally, we detect significantly shortened generation times at Botai ~3,500 BCE, a settlement from Central Asia associated with corrals and a subsistence economy centered on horses. This supports local horse husbandry before the rise of modern domestic bloodlines.

Hroby ze snurovou keramikou v Pavlove Les sépultures avec de la céramique Cordée à Pavlov

Publication d'une inhumation et de deux incinerations, dont une double, mises au jour en 1982... more Publication d'une inhumation et de deux incinerations, dont une double, mises au jour en 1982-1988 lors de fouilles de sauvetage de deux necropoles - protouneticienne et des Gobelets campaniformes. Phases IIIa-IIIc du Corde de Moravie. Analyse du mobilier et du rite funeraire et etude osteologique

Příspěvek k poznání počátku dojení skotu v pravěku

Les debuts de la consommation du lait a la prehistoire en Europe centrale. Incidences sur les mod... more

Symposium S05: Analysis of Movements

Ostrich, 2001

Ecology of Black Storks from the same breeding ground wintering in different parts ofAfrica: a te... more Ecology of Black Storks from the same breeding ground wintering in different parts ofAfrica: a telemetry project M. Bobek', J. Simek2, F. Pojer3 & L. Peske4 'Czech Radio, Vinohradska 12, 120 99 Prague 2, Czech. Republic 2Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31,370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech. Republic 3Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection of the Czech Republic, Kalisnicka 4-6, 130 23 Prague 3, Czech. Republic 4SIezska 43, 12000 Prague 2, Czech. Republic E-mail: capi@(ldo.cz

Satellite tagging of 3 Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) in Syria in 2006

Northern Bald Ibis Conservation and Reintroduction …

... As the NOAA weather satellite flies along its orbit above the bird's location, the ARGOS... more

Environmental conditions within the ALRNB research transects

An assessment of ecological conditions and threats at the Ethiopian wintering site of the last known eastern colony of Critically Endangered Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita

Bird Conservation International, 2013

SummaryThe long-range, migratory eastern relict population of Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremi... more SummaryThe long-range, migratory eastern relict population of Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita has been steadily declining since the time of discovery in 2002, despite the protection programme in place at the breeding grounds in Syria. Assessing the ecological conditions and threats along the migration route and at the wintering site, both discovered in 2006, has become a priority for this “Critically Endangered” species. Adult ibises spent the winter at the same site on the central Ethiopian highland plateau, from August until mid-February during five consecutive winters (2006-2011). The wintering site was surveyed during four field visits and assessed through a spatial analysis of 1,067 satellite locations. The site is in an agro-pastoral landscape, inhabited by a settled community of people living in relatively poor and isolated conditions. Home range analysis based on kernel distributions showed that the bald ibises used a core range area of 9.1–19.0 km² (confirmed by direc...

Accounting for the low survival of the Critically Endangered northern bald ibis Geronticus eremita on a major migratory flyway

Oryx, 2014

The poor survival rate of immature northern bald ibisesGeronticus eremitaduring their first years... more The poor survival rate of immature northern bald ibisesGeronticus eremitaduring their first years spent outside the natal site is driving the last known wild colony of the migratory eastern population to extinction. To inform emergency conservation action for this Critically Endangered species we investigated the distribution range and behaviour of immature birds in passage and wintering areas, and the threats to which they are subject. We integrated recent satellite telemetry data with visual observations spanning 130 years. We assessed threats across the range, using satellite tracking and field surveys. Our results show that during the years before they return to the natal site in Syria, immature northern bald ibises reside away from the recently identified adult wintering site in the central Ethiopian highlands. They occur mainly across the northernmost 70–80% of the adult migratory range. Historical records suggest that immature birds spend more time along the western Arabian P...

An assessment of ecological conditions and threats at the Ethiopian wintering site of the last known eastern colony of Critically Endangered Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita

The long-range, migratory eastern relict population of Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita has ... more The long-range, migratory eastern relict population of Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita has been steadily declining since the time of discovery in 2002, despite the protection programme in place at the breeding grounds in Syria. Assessing the ecological conditions and threats along the migration route and at the wintering site, both discovered in 2006, has become a priority for this "Critically Endangered" species. Adult ibises spent the winter at the same site on the central Ethiopian highland plateau, from August until mid-February during five consecutive winters (2006-2011). The wintering site was surveyed during four field visits and assessed through a spatial analysis of 1,067 satellite locations. The site is in an agro-pastoral landscape, inhabited by a settled community of people living in relatively poor and isolated conditions. Home range analysis based on kernel distributions showed that the bald ibises used a core range area of 9.1-19.0 km² (confirmed by direct visual observations in the field) and an extended range area of 61.0-126.1 km². These figures are c.20 and 60 times smaller, respectively, than those calculated for the breeding site in Syria. Eighty-one percent of the core area in Ethiopia was used in all five years confirming the birds' fidelity to this wintering site. Ibises preferred to forage in wet or dry pastures and in recently cut hayfields, and avoided tall grass, uncut hayfields and cultivation. Despite dependence on human-created habitats, human disturbance observed in the field was minimal. The main short-term threat for the ibises was judged to be the potential raising of attention on the part of the local community specifically towards these few individual ibises. In the medium term, the main threat comes from the conversion of pastures into crops and the potential use of fertilisers and pesticides.

Horse size and domestication: Early equid bones from the Czech Republic in the European context

Anthropozoologica, 2016

We collected and evaluated, by the &#39;logarithmic size index&#39; (LSI) method, all ava... more We collected and evaluated, by the &#39;logarithmic size index&#39; (LSI) method, all available postcranial equid bones found in the Czech Republic from the Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age. Material from the Upper Paleolithic (Magdalenien) and Bohemian Late Bronze Age (Knovíz culture) was also included. Two different species of equids were documented: Equus hydruntinus Regalia, 1907 and Equus ferus Boddaert, 1785. The variation in the size of true horses was compared with data published for neighbouring countries. In most periods, the horses are found to be larger in the eastern part of Central Europe than in the western part. The Czech lands appear to span the border of two worlds: the Pannonian plains and the western, geomorphologically diverse regions. The status of horses in the Neolithic Lengyel period from Moravia remains disputable. However, a high size variability in Eneo-lithic Funnel Beaker culture (TRB, 3800-3350 BC) together with a non-homogeneous distribution in Řivnáč culture (3100-2800 BC) and a significant increase in size between Lengyel and Baden-Řivnáč horizons (probably already in TRB) combined with the occasional occurrence of unexpectedly large individuals probably indicate the importation of tamed or even domesticated horses as early as the times of TRB culture, which is earlier than claimed in other recent studies, and possibly reflect multiple origins of the horse population. The large variability and repeated diminution in size of horses in the Early Bronze Age (Únětice culture, 2200-1700 BC) could indicate advanced domestication or multiple origins of the populations (or both). The persistence of wild horses in the Early Bronze Age cannot be proved osteometrically, but the presence of domesticated horses is considered certain.

Human auditory ossicles from archaeological findings (the Latene and Medieval periods)

Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis Facultatis Medicae

Human auditory ossicles from archaeological findings II. Osteometry

Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis Facultatis Medicae

Cimburk und die Höhensiedlungen des frühen und älteren Äneolithikums in Böhmen = Cimburk a výšinná sídliště raného a staršího eneolitu v Čechách /

by Slavomil Vencl and Lubomir Peske

ABSTRACT Čes. souhrny

Year-round movements and display of wild male houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata undulata) The International Foundation for Conservation and Development of Wildlife: annual report

Satellite tracking reveals the migration route and wintering area of the Middle East population of Critically Endangered northern bald ibis Geronticus eremita

by Lubomir Peske and Jeremy Lindsell

Oryx, 2009

Satellite tracking reveals the migration route and wintering area of the Middle East population o... more Satellite tracking reveals the migration route and wintering area of the Middle East population of Critically Endangered northern bald ibis Geronticus eremita J e r e m y A . L i n d s e l l , G i a n l u c a S e r r a , L u b o m i r P E Š K E , M a h m o u d S . A b d u l l a h G h a z y a l Q a i m , A h m e d K a n a n i and M e n g i s t u W o n d a f r a s h Abstract Since its discovery in 2002 the small colony of northern bald ibis Geronticus eremita in the central Syrian desert remains at perilously low numbers, despite good productivity and some protection at their breeding grounds. The Syrian birds are migratory and return rates of young birds appear to have been poor but because the migration route and wintering sites were unknown little could be done to address any problems away from Syria. Satellite tracking of three adult birds in 2006-2007 has shown they migrate through Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen to the central highlands of Ethiopia. The three tagged birds and one other adult were found at the wintering site but none of the nine younger birds that also left Syria were with them. At least four birds wintered elsewhere because they returned to the colony the following spring. The return migration followed the western shore of the Red Sea through Eritrea to Sudan before crossing the Red Sea into Saudi Arabia, then northwards to Syria. The adults appeared to be at low risk on the wintering site although we recommend protection. Threats along the migration route now need to be assessed and mitigated, and further effort made to determine the movements of subadults and young birds.

Trypanosomes and haemosporidia in the buzzard (Buteo buteo) and sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus): factors affecting the prevalence of parasites

by Lubomir Peske and Petr Volf

Parasitology Research, 2014

The prevalences of heteroxenous parasites are influenced by the interplay of three main actors: h... more The prevalences of heteroxenous parasites are influenced by the interplay of three main actors: hosts, vectors, and the parasites themselves. We studied blood protists in the nesting populations of raptors in two different areas of the Czech Republic. Altogether, 788 nestlings and 258 adult Eurasian sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus) and 321 nestlings and 86 adult common buzzards (Buteo buteo) were screened for parasites by the microscopic examination of blood smears and by cultivation. We examined the role of shared vectors and parasite phylogenetic relationships on the occurrence of parasites. In different years and hosts, trypanosome prevalence ranged between 1.9 and 87.2 %, that of Leucocytozoon between 1.9 and 100 %, and Haemoproteus between 0 and 72.7 %. Coinfections with Leucocytozoon and Trypanosoma, phylogenetically distant parasites but both transmitted by blackflies (Simuliidae), were more frequent than coinfections with Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus, phylogenetically closely related parasites transmitted by different vectors (blackflies and biting midges (Ceratopogonidae), respectively). For example, 16.6 % buzzard nestlings were coinfected with Trypanosoma and Leucocytozoon, while only 4.8 % with Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus and 0.3 % with Trypanosoma and Haemoproteus. Nestlings in the same nest tended to have the same infection status. Furthermore, prevalence increased with the age of nestlings and with Julian date, while brood size had only a weak negative/positive effect on prevalence at the individual/brood level. Prevalences in a particular avian host species also varied between study sites and years. All these factors should thus be considered while comparing prevalences from different studies, the impact of vectors being the most important. We conclude that phylogenetically unrelated parasites that share the same vectors tend to have similar distributions within the host populations of two different raptor species.

African Odyssey project - satellite tracking of black storks Ciconia nigra breeding at a migratory divide

Journal of Avian Biology, 2008

The African Odyssey project focuses on studying the migration of the black stork Ciconia nigra br... more The African Odyssey project focuses on studying the migration of the black stork Ciconia nigra breeding at a migratory divide. In 1995–2001, a total of 18 black storks breeding in the Czech Republic were equipped with satellite (PTT) and VHF transmitters. Of them, 11 birds were tracked during at least one migration season and three birds were tracked repeatedly. The birds migrated either across western or eastern Europe to spend the winter in tropical west or east Africa, respectively. One of the juveniles made an intermediate route through Italy where it was shot during the first autumn migration. The mean distance of autumn migration was 6,227 km. The eastern route was significantly longer than the western one (7,000 km and 5,667 km respectively). Important stopover sites were discovered in Africa and Israel. Wintering areas were found from Mauritania and Sierra Leone in the west to Ethiopia and Central African Republic in the east and south. One of the storks migrating by the eastern migration route surprisingly reached western Africa. Birds that arrived early in the wintering areas stayed longer than those arriving later. On the average, birds migrating via the western route spent 37 d on migration compared to 80 d for birds migrating via the eastern route. The mean migration speed in the autumn was 126 km/d and the fastest stork flew 488 km/d when crossing the Sahara. The repeatedly tracked storks showed high winter site fidelity.

A system for locating satellite-received transmitters (PTTs) in the field

Wildlife Society Bulletin, 2005

ABSTRACT We describe a simple, inexpensive system for locating satellite-received transmitters (P... more ABSTRACT We describe a simple, inexpensive system for locating satellite-received transmitters (PTTs) in the field using a rotating antenna, programmable radio receiver, signal mixer, and a laptop computer with audio and spreadsheet software. This system allows the user to triangulate the position of the transmitter and can be used to find transmitters that are either lost or on animals that are not moving often, even when the signals are too weak to be detected by the Argos satellite system. By locating PTTs, one may be able to determine the fate of the animals carrying the tags and retrieve the tags for relatively inexpensive refurbishing.

Breeding ecology and behaviour of the last wild oriental Northern Bald Ibises ( Geronticus eremita ) in Syria

Journal of Ornithology, 2009

A relict colony of Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita), a critically endangered species, was ... more A relict colony of Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita), a critically endangered species, was unexpectedly discovered in Syria in 2002. During six subsequent breeding seasons (2002–2007), the 3, and then 2, breeding pairs of Northern Bald Ibises have shown to be still vital and, when intensively protected, showed a higher average breeding success than that recorded in Morocco, the only

Acoustic Repertoire of the Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta fraterculus) and Individual Variation of Long-Distance Calls

International Journal of Zoology, 2012

We present the spectrographic description of the vocal repertoire of the Philippine tarsier (Tars... more We present the spectrographic description of the vocal repertoire of the Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta fraterculus), a solitary living nocturnal primate for which a very limited information about acoustic communication exists to date. The majority of vocalizations were performed around sunset and, less frequently, at sunrise. We identified eight call types. Five calls recorded during communication between adults included three long-distance calls-loud call, smack-whistle, and whistle-then a soft locust-like chirp and a bird-like trill. Two other calls-cheep and twitter-were recorded during mother-infant communication. One distress call was emitted by adults during handling. All calls were performed in the 9752 Hz to more than 22 kHz frequency range. This study provides the first evidence of individual variation in the long-distance calls performed by tarsiers. Moreover, our study provides a basis for future comparison within as well as between tarsier species taxonomy. Bioacoustic methods can be used in monitoring of these cryptic species and determining their distribution range. Thus, bioacoustic studies can help to improve conservation strategies of different population/species.

Widespread horse-based mobility arose around 2,200 BCE in Eurasia

by João Luís Cardoso, Jan Romaniszyn, Lubomir Peske, Alexey Kovalev, Tajana Trbojević Vukičević, Anita Rapan Papeša, Tsagaan (Цагааны) Turbat (Төрбат/Турбат), Sabine Reinhold, and Katherine Kanne

Nature, 2024

Horses revolutionized human history with fast mobility. However, the timeline between their domes... more Horses revolutionized human history with fast mobility. However, the timeline between their domestication and widespread integration as a means of transportation remains contentious. Here we assemble a large collection of 475 ancient horse genomes to assess the period when these animals were first reshaped by human agency in Eurasia. We find that reproductive control of the modern domestic lineage emerged ~2,200 BCE (Before Common Era), through close kin mating and shortened generation times. Reproductive control emerged following a severe domestication bottleneck starting no earlier than ~2,700 BCE, and coincided with a sudden expansion across Eurasia that ultimately resulted in the replacement of nearly every local horse lineage. This expansion marked the rise of widespread horse-based mobility in human history, which refutes the commonly-held narrative of large horse herds accompanying the massive migration of steppe peoples across Europe ~3,000 BCE and earlier. Finally, we detect significantly shortened generation times at Botai ~3,500 BCE, a settlement from Central Asia associated with corrals and a subsistence economy centered on horses. This supports local horse husbandry before the rise of modern domestic bloodlines.

Hroby ze snurovou keramikou v Pavlove Les sépultures avec de la céramique Cordée à Pavlov

Publication d'une inhumation et de deux incinerations, dont une double, mises au jour en 1982... more Publication d'une inhumation et de deux incinerations, dont une double, mises au jour en 1982-1988 lors de fouilles de sauvetage de deux necropoles - protouneticienne et des Gobelets campaniformes. Phases IIIa-IIIc du Corde de Moravie. Analyse du mobilier et du rite funeraire et etude osteologique

Příspěvek k poznání počátku dojení skotu v pravěku

Les debuts de la consommation du lait a la prehistoire en Europe centrale. Incidences sur les mod... more

Symposium S05: Analysis of Movements

Ostrich, 2001

Ecology of Black Storks from the same breeding ground wintering in different parts ofAfrica: a te... more Ecology of Black Storks from the same breeding ground wintering in different parts ofAfrica: a telemetry project M. Bobek', J. Simek2, F. Pojer3 & L. Peske4 'Czech Radio, Vinohradska 12, 120 99 Prague 2, Czech. Republic 2Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31,370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech. Republic 3Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection of the Czech Republic, Kalisnicka 4-6, 130 23 Prague 3, Czech. Republic 4SIezska 43, 12000 Prague 2, Czech. Republic E-mail: capi@(ldo.cz

Satellite tagging of 3 Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) in Syria in 2006

Northern Bald Ibis Conservation and Reintroduction …

... As the NOAA weather satellite flies along its orbit above the bird's location, the ARGOS... more

Environmental conditions within the ALRNB research transects

An assessment of ecological conditions and threats at the Ethiopian wintering site of the last known eastern colony of Critically Endangered Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita

Bird Conservation International, 2013

SummaryThe long-range, migratory eastern relict population of Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremi... more SummaryThe long-range, migratory eastern relict population of Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita has been steadily declining since the time of discovery in 2002, despite the protection programme in place at the breeding grounds in Syria. Assessing the ecological conditions and threats along the migration route and at the wintering site, both discovered in 2006, has become a priority for this “Critically Endangered” species. Adult ibises spent the winter at the same site on the central Ethiopian highland plateau, from August until mid-February during five consecutive winters (2006-2011). The wintering site was surveyed during four field visits and assessed through a spatial analysis of 1,067 satellite locations. The site is in an agro-pastoral landscape, inhabited by a settled community of people living in relatively poor and isolated conditions. Home range analysis based on kernel distributions showed that the bald ibises used a core range area of 9.1–19.0 km² (confirmed by direc...

Accounting for the low survival of the Critically Endangered northern bald ibis Geronticus eremita on a major migratory flyway

Oryx, 2014

The poor survival rate of immature northern bald ibisesGeronticus eremitaduring their first years... more The poor survival rate of immature northern bald ibisesGeronticus eremitaduring their first years spent outside the natal site is driving the last known wild colony of the migratory eastern population to extinction. To inform emergency conservation action for this Critically Endangered species we investigated the distribution range and behaviour of immature birds in passage and wintering areas, and the threats to which they are subject. We integrated recent satellite telemetry data with visual observations spanning 130 years. We assessed threats across the range, using satellite tracking and field surveys. Our results show that during the years before they return to the natal site in Syria, immature northern bald ibises reside away from the recently identified adult wintering site in the central Ethiopian highlands. They occur mainly across the northernmost 70–80% of the adult migratory range. Historical records suggest that immature birds spend more time along the western Arabian P...

An assessment of ecological conditions and threats at the Ethiopian wintering site of the last known eastern colony of Critically Endangered Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita

The long-range, migratory eastern relict population of Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita has ... more The long-range, migratory eastern relict population of Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita has been steadily declining since the time of discovery in 2002, despite the protection programme in place at the breeding grounds in Syria. Assessing the ecological conditions and threats along the migration route and at the wintering site, both discovered in 2006, has become a priority for this "Critically Endangered" species. Adult ibises spent the winter at the same site on the central Ethiopian highland plateau, from August until mid-February during five consecutive winters (2006-2011). The wintering site was surveyed during four field visits and assessed through a spatial analysis of 1,067 satellite locations. The site is in an agro-pastoral landscape, inhabited by a settled community of people living in relatively poor and isolated conditions. Home range analysis based on kernel distributions showed that the bald ibises used a core range area of 9.1-19.0 km² (confirmed by direct visual observations in the field) and an extended range area of 61.0-126.1 km². These figures are c.20 and 60 times smaller, respectively, than those calculated for the breeding site in Syria. Eighty-one percent of the core area in Ethiopia was used in all five years confirming the birds' fidelity to this wintering site. Ibises preferred to forage in wet or dry pastures and in recently cut hayfields, and avoided tall grass, uncut hayfields and cultivation. Despite dependence on human-created habitats, human disturbance observed in the field was minimal. The main short-term threat for the ibises was judged to be the potential raising of attention on the part of the local community specifically towards these few individual ibises. In the medium term, the main threat comes from the conversion of pastures into crops and the potential use of fertilisers and pesticides.

Horse size and domestication: Early equid bones from the Czech Republic in the European context

Anthropozoologica, 2016

We collected and evaluated, by the &#39;logarithmic size index&#39; (LSI) method, all ava... more We collected and evaluated, by the &#39;logarithmic size index&#39; (LSI) method, all available postcranial equid bones found in the Czech Republic from the Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age. Material from the Upper Paleolithic (Magdalenien) and Bohemian Late Bronze Age (Knovíz culture) was also included. Two different species of equids were documented: Equus hydruntinus Regalia, 1907 and Equus ferus Boddaert, 1785. The variation in the size of true horses was compared with data published for neighbouring countries. In most periods, the horses are found to be larger in the eastern part of Central Europe than in the western part. The Czech lands appear to span the border of two worlds: the Pannonian plains and the western, geomorphologically diverse regions. The status of horses in the Neolithic Lengyel period from Moravia remains disputable. However, a high size variability in Eneo-lithic Funnel Beaker culture (TRB, 3800-3350 BC) together with a non-homogeneous distribution in Řivnáč culture (3100-2800 BC) and a significant increase in size between Lengyel and Baden-Řivnáč horizons (probably already in TRB) combined with the occasional occurrence of unexpectedly large individuals probably indicate the importation of tamed or even domesticated horses as early as the times of TRB culture, which is earlier than claimed in other recent studies, and possibly reflect multiple origins of the horse population. The large variability and repeated diminution in size of horses in the Early Bronze Age (Únětice culture, 2200-1700 BC) could indicate advanced domestication or multiple origins of the populations (or both). The persistence of wild horses in the Early Bronze Age cannot be proved osteometrically, but the presence of domesticated horses is considered certain.

Human auditory ossicles from archaeological findings (the Latene and Medieval periods)

Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis Facultatis Medicae

Human auditory ossicles from archaeological findings II. Osteometry

Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis Facultatis Medicae

Cimburk und die Höhensiedlungen des frühen und älteren Äneolithikums in Böhmen = Cimburk a výšinná sídliště raného a staršího eneolitu v Čechách /

by Slavomil Vencl and Lubomir Peske

ABSTRACT Čes. souhrny

Year-round movements and display of wild male houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata undulata) The International Foundation for Conservation and Development of Wildlife: annual report

Satellite tracking reveals the migration route and wintering area of the Middle East population of Critically Endangered northern bald ibis Geronticus eremita

by Lubomir Peske and Jeremy Lindsell

Oryx, 2009

Satellite tracking reveals the migration route and wintering area of the Middle East population o... more Satellite tracking reveals the migration route and wintering area of the Middle East population of Critically Endangered northern bald ibis Geronticus eremita J e r e m y A . L i n d s e l l , G i a n l u c a S e r r a , L u b o m i r P E Š K E , M a h m o u d S . A b d u l l a h G h a z y a l Q a i m , A h m e d K a n a n i and M e n g i s t u W o n d a f r a s h Abstract Since its discovery in 2002 the small colony of northern bald ibis Geronticus eremita in the central Syrian desert remains at perilously low numbers, despite good productivity and some protection at their breeding grounds. The Syrian birds are migratory and return rates of young birds appear to have been poor but because the migration route and wintering sites were unknown little could be done to address any problems away from Syria. Satellite tracking of three adult birds in 2006-2007 has shown they migrate through Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen to the central highlands of Ethiopia. The three tagged birds and one other adult were found at the wintering site but none of the nine younger birds that also left Syria were with them. At least four birds wintered elsewhere because they returned to the colony the following spring. The return migration followed the western shore of the Red Sea through Eritrea to Sudan before crossing the Red Sea into Saudi Arabia, then northwards to Syria. The adults appeared to be at low risk on the wintering site although we recommend protection. Threats along the migration route now need to be assessed and mitigated, and further effort made to determine the movements of subadults and young birds.

Trypanosomes and haemosporidia in the buzzard (Buteo buteo) and sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus): factors affecting the prevalence of parasites

by Lubomir Peske and Petr Volf

Parasitology Research, 2014

The prevalences of heteroxenous parasites are influenced by the interplay of three main actors: h... more The prevalences of heteroxenous parasites are influenced by the interplay of three main actors: hosts, vectors, and the parasites themselves. We studied blood protists in the nesting populations of raptors in two different areas of the Czech Republic. Altogether, 788 nestlings and 258 adult Eurasian sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus) and 321 nestlings and 86 adult common buzzards (Buteo buteo) were screened for parasites by the microscopic examination of blood smears and by cultivation. We examined the role of shared vectors and parasite phylogenetic relationships on the occurrence of parasites. In different years and hosts, trypanosome prevalence ranged between 1.9 and 87.2 %, that of Leucocytozoon between 1.9 and 100 %, and Haemoproteus between 0 and 72.7 %. Coinfections with Leucocytozoon and Trypanosoma, phylogenetically distant parasites but both transmitted by blackflies (Simuliidae), were more frequent than coinfections with Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus, phylogenetically closely related parasites transmitted by different vectors (blackflies and biting midges (Ceratopogonidae), respectively). For example, 16.6 % buzzard nestlings were coinfected with Trypanosoma and Leucocytozoon, while only 4.8 % with Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus and 0.3 % with Trypanosoma and Haemoproteus. Nestlings in the same nest tended to have the same infection status. Furthermore, prevalence increased with the age of nestlings and with Julian date, while brood size had only a weak negative/positive effect on prevalence at the individual/brood level. Prevalences in a particular avian host species also varied between study sites and years. All these factors should thus be considered while comparing prevalences from different studies, the impact of vectors being the most important. We conclude that phylogenetically unrelated parasites that share the same vectors tend to have similar distributions within the host populations of two different raptor species.

African Odyssey project - satellite tracking of black storks Ciconia nigra breeding at a migratory divide

Journal of Avian Biology, 2008

The African Odyssey project focuses on studying the migration of the black stork Ciconia nigra br... more The African Odyssey project focuses on studying the migration of the black stork Ciconia nigra breeding at a migratory divide. In 1995–2001, a total of 18 black storks breeding in the Czech Republic were equipped with satellite (PTT) and VHF transmitters. Of them, 11 birds were tracked during at least one migration season and three birds were tracked repeatedly. The birds migrated either across western or eastern Europe to spend the winter in tropical west or east Africa, respectively. One of the juveniles made an intermediate route through Italy where it was shot during the first autumn migration. The mean distance of autumn migration was 6,227 km. The eastern route was significantly longer than the western one (7,000 km and 5,667 km respectively). Important stopover sites were discovered in Africa and Israel. Wintering areas were found from Mauritania and Sierra Leone in the west to Ethiopia and Central African Republic in the east and south. One of the storks migrating by the eastern migration route surprisingly reached western Africa. Birds that arrived early in the wintering areas stayed longer than those arriving later. On the average, birds migrating via the western route spent 37 d on migration compared to 80 d for birds migrating via the eastern route. The mean migration speed in the autumn was 126 km/d and the fastest stork flew 488 km/d when crossing the Sahara. The repeatedly tracked storks showed high winter site fidelity.

A system for locating satellite-received transmitters (PTTs) in the field

Wildlife Society Bulletin, 2005

ABSTRACT We describe a simple, inexpensive system for locating satellite-received transmitters (P... more ABSTRACT We describe a simple, inexpensive system for locating satellite-received transmitters (PTTs) in the field using a rotating antenna, programmable radio receiver, signal mixer, and a laptop computer with audio and spreadsheet software. This system allows the user to triangulate the position of the transmitter and can be used to find transmitters that are either lost or on animals that are not moving often, even when the signals are too weak to be detected by the Argos satellite system. By locating PTTs, one may be able to determine the fate of the animals carrying the tags and retrieve the tags for relatively inexpensive refurbishing.

Breeding ecology and behaviour of the last wild oriental Northern Bald Ibises ( Geronticus eremita ) in Syria

Journal of Ornithology, 2009

A relict colony of Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita), a critically endangered species, was ... more A relict colony of Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita), a critically endangered species, was unexpectedly discovered in Syria in 2002. During six subsequent breeding seasons (2002–2007), the 3, and then 2, breeding pairs of Northern Bald Ibises have shown to be still vital and, when intensively protected, showed a higher average breeding success than that recorded in Morocco, the only

Acoustic Repertoire of the Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta fraterculus) and Individual Variation of Long-Distance Calls

International Journal of Zoology, 2012

We present the spectrographic description of the vocal repertoire of the Philippine tarsier (Tars... more We present the spectrographic description of the vocal repertoire of the Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta fraterculus), a solitary living nocturnal primate for which a very limited information about acoustic communication exists to date. The majority of vocalizations were performed around sunset and, less frequently, at sunrise. We identified eight call types. Five calls recorded during communication between adults included three long-distance calls-loud call, smack-whistle, and whistle-then a soft locust-like chirp and a bird-like trill. Two other calls-cheep and twitter-were recorded during mother-infant communication. One distress call was emitted by adults during handling. All calls were performed in the 9752 Hz to more than 22 kHz frequency range. This study provides the first evidence of individual variation in the long-distance calls performed by tarsiers. Moreover, our study provides a basis for future comparison within as well as between tarsier species taxonomy. Bioacoustic methods can be used in monitoring of these cryptic species and determining their distribution range. Thus, bioacoustic studies can help to improve conservation strategies of different population/species.