The conceptual frameworks of these projects are behavioural ecology and comparative method.
In practice, two approaches are possible.
1) Relatively simple traits (if data are available for a large number of species) can be plotted on a phylogenetic tree. This way, we can investigate the evolution of, for example, social systems, degree of sexual dimorphism, foraging styles, or presence of specific pigments. In other words, all possible values of the investigated variable must be either clear categories or distinct intervals.
2) When the nature of examined trait is more complex (e.g., complex exploratory behaviour), we usually compare a smaller number of species, which differ from each other in several key aspects suspected to influence the investigated trait (e.g., habitat openness, predation rate, population density).
In both cases, the comparative method allows to reconstruct the ancestral state of the trait, distinguish whether it is inherited from a common ancestor or is an evolutionary innovation, and to test the generality of the phenomena, including the food storing (Štorchová et al. 2009), compensatory head movements (Frýdlová et al. 2019), or the sex-ratio manipulation hypothesis (Nováková et al. 2009). Populations of the same species living in different habitats can also be compared (Frynta et al. 2018).
Our research currently focuses on:
- Hunting strategies and related adaptations in frogs (Petra Frýdlová)
- Effect of commensalism on rodent behaviour (Daniel Frynta)
- Social learning in European tits (Alice Exnerová)