prof. Mgr. et Mgr. Josef Bryja Ph.D.
Position head of the facility
Direction molecular ecology
Workplace External research facility Studenec
+420 560 590 601

Research interests
- evolutionary history, phylogeography, speciation, adaptation, phylogeny and systematics (mainly of small mammals),
- biogeography, distribution of biodiversity in Africa,
- molecular ecology of vertebrates (interactions between neutral and adaptive genetic variation, conservation genetics, immunogenetics),
- ecology of mammals (population dynamics, structure of communities).
Running Projects
Finished projects
Education
- 1992-1997: undergraduate study in Systematic Zoology and Ecology – Masaryk University in Brno, Faculty of Science. Diploma thesis: Structure of communities of small terrestrial mammals in various habitats of the Protected Landscape Area of Poodří. (MSc.=Mgr.).
- 1993-1998: undergraduate study in Molecular Biology and Genetics – Masaryk University in Brno, Faculty of Science. Diploma thesis: Preparation of truncated variant of gene coding for RXR alpha and its transfer to monoblast cell line BM2. (MSc.=Mgr.).
- 1997-2000: Ph.D. study in Zoology – Masaryk University in Brno, Faculty of Science. Ph.D. thesis: Demographic characteristics of the common vole (Microtus arvalis) population in southern Moravia. (PhD.).
Employment
Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno (IVB):
- 1997-1998: research assistant, Brno
- 1998-2009: junior researcher, Department of Population Biology of IVB, Brno and Studenec (responsible for the running of the Laboratory of molecular genetics in Studenec)
- 2010-present: senior researcher, head of the Research Facility of IVB in Studenec
- 2011-2019: scientific secretary of IVB
- 2012-present: head of the IVB´s Board
Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno:
- 2003-2009: research assistant (part-time)
- 2009-present: Associate Professor (part-time), Lectures: Molecular ecology, Genetic methods in zoology, Advances in zoology of vertebrates, supervising of M.Sc. and Ph.D. students.
International experience
- 2004-2006: postdoctoral fellow, Centre de Biologie et Gestion des Populations, Montferriez sur Lez, France (projects on wildlife immunogenetics).
- short visits and invited lectures at research institutes in France, Poland, Denmark, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Slovenia, Romania, etc.,
- numerous field expeditions in Africa, more than 1 year in total (Senegal, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Madagascar).
- 2009-2013: Member of the consortium ConGRESS (Conservation of Genetic Resources for Effective Species Survival), 7th Framework Programme of EC; 2012 – organization of two international workshops on conservation genetics (Slovakia, Hungary).
- 2018 – CIBIO-InBIO – Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, Porto, Portugal (guest researcher, 6 months)
- 2019 – university course of Molecular Ecology at Mekelle University (Ethiopia)
- 2019 – main organizer of the 13th African Small Mammal Symposium in Ethiopia
Selected current collaborations
- University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic (R. Šumbera)
- Centre de Biologie et Gestion des Populations, Montferrier sur Lez, France (M. Galan, N. Charbonnel, L. Granjon, G. Dobigny, C. Brouat)
- Muséum national d´Histoire naturelle, Paris, France (V. Nicolas, C. Denys)
- University of Antwerps, Belgium (H. Leirs)
- Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, USA (J. Kerbis Peterhans, T. Demos, A. Ferguson)
- Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium (E. Verheyen)
- Pest Management Centre, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania (R. Makundi, A. Massawe)
- Mekelle University, Ethiopia (Y. Meheretu)
- A.N.Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution RAS, Moscow, Russia (L. Lavrenchenko)
- CIBIO-InBIO – Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, Porto, Portugal (Z. Boratynski)
Other scientific activities
- reviewer for numerous scientific journals and science foundations
- member of MSc and PhD committees in the Czech Republic and abroad
- main organizer of every-year Czech National Zoological Congress “Zoologické dny“
- associate editor in Frontiers in Zoology, Mammalia, Journal of Vertebrate Biology
Actual Ph.D. students
- Králová Tereza: The effect of life histories on the variation of immune genes in passerines – a comparative approach. (co-supervised by T. Albrecht and M. Vinkler)
- Těšíková Jana: Quantifying viral gene capture, and the host’s response, during passage across a species barrier: Murine cytomegalovirus in a house mouse hybrid zone. (co-supervised by J. Göuy de Bellocq)
- Turbaková Barbora: Conservation genetics of European lynx in Central Europe. (co-supervised by J. Krojerová)
- Krásová Jarmila: Historical biogeography of mountain regions of Eastern Africa using small mammals as a model. (co-supervised by R. Šumbera)
- Hánová Alexandra: Factors affecting population genetic structure of rodents in savannahs. (co-supervised by A. Konečný)
- Dianat Malahatosadat: Evolution of old placental lineages: insectivorous mammals in the Afrotropics. (co-supervised by A. Konečný)
- Mizerovská Daniela: Evolution at steep elevational gradients: assessing the role of genetic and ecological factors in speciation process.
Former Ph.D. students
- Mazoch Vladimír, 2019: Phylogeography of small mammals in the Zambezian savannahs. University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice. (co-supervised by R. Šumbera)
- Bartáková Veronika, 2018: The effects of non-native species on host-parasite relationships. Masaryk University, Brno. (co-supervised by M. Reichard)
- Aghová Tatiana, 2018: Comparative phylogeography of the Somali-Maasai region in eastern Africa using selected rodent species as a model. Masaryk University, Brno. (co-supervised by R. Šumbera)
- Čížková Dagmar, 2015: Major histocompatibility complex variation in the house mice hybrid zone. Masaryk University, Brno.
- Wasimuddin, 2014: Genetic variation of selected pathogens in the house mouse hybrid zone. Masaryk University, Brno. (co-supervised by J.Gouy de Bellocq and J. Piálek)
- Zemanová Barbora, 2014: Genetic structure of chamois populations in Central Europe. Masaryk University, Brno.
- Fornůsková Alena, 2013: Genes of innate immunity and their significance in evolutionary ecology of free living rodents. Masaryk University Brno and Université Montpellier II. (co-supervised by J.F. Cosson)
- Patzenhauerová-Konvičková Hana, 2013: Bathyergid rodents of mesic tropical regions: Phylogeography, kinship structure and mating systems. Masaryk University, Brno.
- Promerová Marta, 2011: Major histocompatibility complex genes: their variation and impact on fitness in a socially monogamous passerine. Masaryk University, Brno. (co-supervised by T. Albrecht)
- Poláková Radka, 2011: The effect of genetic factors on reproductive success in a socially monogamous songbird. Masaryk University, Brno. (co-supervised by T. Albrecht).
- Říčanová Štěpánka, 2011: Phylogeography and conservation genetics of the European ground squirrel. University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice. (co-supervised by F.Sedláček)
- Konečný Adam, 2009: Consequences of anthropogenic changes on rodent communities and populations: study cases on native and introduced species in Eastern Senegal. Masaryk University, Brno and Université Montpellier II. (co-supervised by J.M. Duplantier and J.F. Cosson)
- Hájková Petra, 2008: Conservation genetics of the Eurasian otter. Masaryk University, Brno. (co-supervised by P.Jurajda)
Publications
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
Bryja J, Mazoch V, Patzenhauerová H, Mateke C, Zima Jr. J, Šklíba J, Šumbera R (2012).
Revised occurrence of rodents from the tribe Praomyini (Muridae) in Zambia based on mitochondrial DNA analyses: implications for biogeography and conservation. Folia zoologica, 61: 268-283.
Poláková R, Schnitzer J, Vinkler M, Bryja J, Munclinger P, Albrecht T (2012).
Effect of extra-pair paternity and parental quality on brood sex ratio in the scarlet rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus. Folia zoologica, 61: 225-232.
2011
Zemanová B, Hájková P, Bryja J, Zima Jr. J, Hájková A, Zima J (2011).
Development of multiplex microsatellite sets for noninvasive population genetic study of the endangered Tatra chamois. Folia zoologica, 60: 70-80.
2010
Bartonička T, Kaňuch P, Bímová B, Bryja J (2010).
Olfactory discrimination between two cryptic species of bats Pipistrellus pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus. Folia zoologica, 59: 175-182.
Kaňuch P, Fornůsková A, Bartonička T, Bryja J, Řehák Z (2010).
Do two cryptic pipistrelle bat species differ in their autumn and winter roosting strategies within the range of sympatry?. Folia zoologica, 59: 102-107.
2009
2008
Jánová E, Heroldová M, Bryja J (2008).
Conspicuous demographic and individual changes in a population of the common vole in a set-aside alfalfa field. Annales Zoologici Fennici, 45: 39-54.
Řehák Z, Bartonička T, Bryja J, Gaisler J (2008).
New records of the Alcathoe bat, Myotis alcathoe in Moravia (Czech Republic). Folia zoologica, 57: 465-469.
Tóthová A, Knoz J, Sonnek R, Bryja J, Vaňhara J (2008).
Taxonomic problems in the subgenus Meloehelea Wirth of the genus Atrichopogon Kieffer (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) inferred from both morphological and molecular characters. Entomologica Fennica, 19: 1-12.
2007
Bryja J, Kment P (2007).
True bugs (Heteroptera) of the Bukovské vrchy Hills (Poloniny National Park, Slovakia). Acta Musei Moraviae. Scientiae biologicae = Časopis Moravského muzea. Vědy biologické, iScientiae biologicae92: 1-51.
Kment P, Bryja J (2007).
Description of Nasocoris lautereri sp. nov. from the Balkan peninsula, with a review of the genus Nasocoris (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae: Phylinae). Zootaxa, 1633: 39-61.
2006
Bencová V, Kašpar T, Bryja J (2006).
Sezónní a meziroční změny skladby potravy kalouse ušatého (Asio otus) na jižní Moravě. Tichodroma, 18: 65-71.
Bryja J, Kment P (2006).
Ploštice (Heteroptera) Chráněné krajinné oblasti Kokořínsko. Bohemia centralis, 27: 267-2941210 .
Kment P, Bryja J (2006).
Revised occurrence of Heterotoma species (Heteroptera: Miridae) in the Czech Republic and Slovakia with remarks on nomenclature, diagnostic characters and ecology. Acta Musei Moraviae. Scientiae biologicae = Časopis Moravského muzea. Vědy biologické, iScientiae biologicae91: 7-52.
Tóthová A, Bryja J, Bejdák P, Vaňhara J (2006).
Molecular markers used in phylogenetic studies of Diptera with a methodological overview. Acta Universitatis Carolinae, Biologica, 50: 125-133.
2005
Bryja J, Stopka P (2005).
Facultative promiscuity in a presumably monogamous mouse Apodemus microps. Acta Theriologica, 50: 189-196.
Heroldová M, Jánová E, Bryja J, Tkadlec E (2005).
Set-aside plots - source of small mammal pests?. Folia zoologica, 54: 337-350.
Kment P, Bryja J, Hradil K, Jindra Z (2005).
New and interesting records of true bugs (Heteroptera) from the Czech Republic and Slovakia 3. Klapalekiana, 41: 157-2131210 .
Kment P, Bryja J, Jindra Z (2005).
New records of true bugs (Heteroptera) of the Balkan peninsula. Acta entomologica slovenica, 13: 9-20.
2004
Bryja J, Kment P (2004).
Ploštice (Heteroptera) Bukovských vrchů (NP Poloniny). Folia faunistica Slovaca, 9: 31-41.
Hájková P, Hájek B, Zemanová B, Roche K, Toman A, Bryja J (2004).
Genetická variabilita a populačno-genetická štruktúra subpopulácií vydry riečnej (Lutra lutra) v výskumnom projekte Českej a Slovenskej republike. Bulletin Vydra, 12001.
Hájková P, Zemanová B, Hájek B, Roche K, Kučerová M, Bryja J, Zima J (2004).
Stanovenie početnosti a štruktúry populácie vydry riečnej (Lutra lutra) neinvazívnou genetickou metódou - správa o prebiehajúcom výskumnom projekte. Bulletin Vydra, 12001.
Heroldová M, Zejda J, Zapletal M, Obdržálková D, Jánová E, Bryja J, Tkadlec E (2004).
Importance of winter rape for small rodents. Rostlinná výroba, 50: 175-181.
2003
Bryja J, Konečný A (2003).
Fast sex identification in wild mammals using PCR amplification of the Sry gene. Folia zoologica, 52: 269-274.
Jánová E, Heroldová M, Bryja J, Tkadlec E (2003).
Metodické problémy při určování stáří hlodavců na základě hmotnosti očních čoček. Lynx, 34: 29-38.
Kment P, Bryja J, Jindra Z, Hradil K, Baňař P (2003).
New and interesting records of true bugs (Heteroptera) from the Czech Republic and Slovakia 2. Klapalekiana, 39: 257-3061210 .
2002
Bartonička T, Řehák Z, Wolf P, Bryja J (2002).
Drobní savci CHKO Litovelské Pomoraví. Část 1. Netopýři - Chiroptera. Lynx, 33: 35-46.
Bryja J, Heroldová M, Zejda J (2002).
Effects of deforestation on structure and diversity of small mammal communities in the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts (Czech Republic). Acta Theriologica, 47: 295-306.
Bryja J, Kment P (2002).
New and interesting records of plant bugs (Heteroptera: Miridae) from the Czech and Slovak Republics. Klapalekiana, 38: 1-101210 .
Bryja J, Kment P, Hradil K (2002).
Ploštice (Heteroptera) Rokytenských slepenců. Přírodovědný sborník Západomoravského muzea v Třebíči=Acta Scientiarum Naturalium Musei Moraviae Occidentalis, 40: 33-60.
Bryja J, Řehák Z, Vermouzek Z, Wolf P, Bartonička T (2002).
Drobní savci CHKO Litovelské Pomoraví. Část 2. Hmyzožravci a hlodavci - Insectivora et Rodentia. Lynx, 33: 79-87.
Bryja J, Řehák Z (2002).
Další doklady současné expanze areálu myšice temnopásé (Apodemus agrarius) na Moravě. Lynx, 33: 69-77.
Konečný A, Bryja J (2002).
Hmyzožravci a hlodavci v ČR - souhrn nepublikovaných faunistických dat z diplomových prací obhájených na Přírodovědecké fakultě MU v Brně. Lynx, 33: 133-140.
Kula E, Bryja J (2002).
Comparison of various sampling methods for evaluation of biodiversity of true bugs (Heteroptera) in a birch forest. Ekológia, 21: 137-147.
2001
Bryja J, Tkadlec E, Nesvadbová J, Gaisler J, Zejda J (2001).
Comparison of enumeration and Jolly-Seber estimation of population size in the common vole Microtus arvalis. Acta Theriologica, 46: 279-285.
Bryja J, Beneš B (2001).
The harvest mouse (Micromys minutus) in the mountains of the Czech Republic. Časopis Slezského zemského muzea., iSérie A: Vědy přírodní50: 113-116.
Bryja J, Heroldová M, Zejda J (2001).
Drobní zemní savci (Insectivora, Rodentia) vrcholových partií Moravskoslezských Beskyd. Časopis Slezského zemského muzea., iSérie A: Vědy přírodní50: 105-112.
Bryja J, Kment P (2001).
The present state of knowledge of true bugs (Heteroptera) in the Protected Landscape Area of Poodří (Czech Republic). Klapalekiana, 37: 1-361210 .
Kment P, Bryja J (2001).
New and interesting records of true bugs (Heteroptera) from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Klapalekiana, 37: 231-2481210 .
Lososová Z, Danihelka J, Chytrý M, Hluchý M, Vítek P, Marek J, Škorpík M, Bezděk J, Průdek P, Poisel J, Lauterer P, Bagar M, Kment P, Bryja J, Janšta P (2001).
Předběžné výsledky monitoringu biodiverzity vinic a přilehlých lesostepních lokalit CHKO Pálava a NP Podyjí. Thayensia, 4: 205-2081210 .
2000
Bryja J, Zukal J (2000).
Small mammal communities in newly planted biocorridors and their surroundings in southern Moravia (Czech Republic). Folia zoologica, 49: 191-197.
Bryja J, Kula E (2000).
A novel multiple approach to the biodiversity evaluation - example of the fractionated community of bugs Heteroptera). Ekológia, 19: 225-244.
1999
Bryja J, Zemanová K, Šmarda J (1999).
Antileukemické účinky proteinu RXR. Klinická biochemie a metabolismus, 7: 17.
Bryja J (1999).
Nejvýše položený nález myšice temnopásé (Apodemus agrarius Pallas, 1771) na území České republiky. Časopis Slezského zemského muzea., iSérie A: Vědy přírodní48: 223-226.
Šmarda J, Zemanová K, Bryja J, Šmardová J, Kozubík A, Hofmanová J, Nemajerová A, Ševčíková S, Kohoutek J, Vodička P (1999).
Retinoid X receptor suppresses transformation by the v-myb oncogene. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 66: 1039-1048.
1998
Bryja J, Řehák Z (1998).
Drobní savci CHKO Poodří a blízkého okolí: 1. Insectivora, Rodentia. Časopis Slezského zemského muzea., iSérie A: Vědy přírodní47: 123-131.
Bryja J, Řehák Z (1998).
Community of small terrestrial mammals (Insectivora, Rodentia) in dominant habitats of the Protected Landscape Area of Poodří (Czech Republic). Folia zoologica, 47: 249-260.
Bryja J, Řehák Z (1998).
Diet composition of two owl species in the Odra river floodplain (Czech Republic). Buteo, 10: 97-102.
Řehák Z, Bryja J (1998).
Drobní savci CHKO Poodří a blízkého okolí: 2. Chiroptera. Časopis Slezského zemského muzea., iSérie A: Vědy přírodní47: 133-142.