RNDr., DiS. Petra Horká, Ph.D. (born Kulíšková)

Fish ecology laboratory

Research Interests

Research in my group is focusing on various aspects of fish ecology and behaviour using a combination of field surveys and laboratory experiments. Our current research interests include:

1. Trophic ecology of fish in anthropogenically impacted rivers using δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C: the research aim to characterise the role of fish in the food webs, interactions between fish species, and how they respond to both abiotic and biotic environments.
2. Laboratory experiments, especially focused on Gnathonemus petersii fish. In this weakly electric fish species, we investigate its validation as a new animal model of schizophrenia.
3. Using genomic DNA as a proof of fish meat adulteration, and their potential applications in the fields of allergenicity assessment, species identification, and food fraud prevention.

Contact Information

Institute for Environmental Studies

Faculty of Science, Charles University

Benátská 2, 128 01 Praha 2, Czech Republic

Phone: +420-22195 1896, +420-732 648 965

E-mail: petra.horka@natur.cuni.cz

Konzultace: kdykoliv po domluvě

Teaching

MO550P36 Ekologie ryb

MO550P111E Environmental issues, background examples and solutions

MO550P89 Limnologie

MO550P92 Limnologické metody – praktikum

MO550S10B Seminář k DP I

Research projects

QK 191-0231 New approaches for the proof of fish meat adulteration using genomic DNA; Co-Principal Investigator
NU_21-04-00405 A new model of schizophrenia based on Gnathonemus petersii enriched on the evaluation of electrocommunications and social behaviour; Co-PI

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-5407-7594 

Publications

Kolar, V., Chmelova, E., Bílková, M., Borovec, J., Carreira, B. M. et al. &  Boukal, D. S., Tropek, R. (2023). Muddying the unexplored post-industrial waters: Biodiversity andconservation potential of freshwater habitats in fly ashsedimentation lagoons. Science of the Total Environment, 900, 165803. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165803

Carreira, B.M., Kolář, V., Chmelová, E., Jan, J., Adašević, J. et al. &  Tropek, R., Boukal D. S. (2023) Bioaccumulation of chemical elements at post-industrial freshwater sitesvaries predictably between habitats, elements and taxa: A powerlaw approach. Science of the Total Environment, 901 (165794). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165794

Langova, V., Horka, P., Hubeny, J., Novak, T., Vales, K., Adamek, P., Holubova, K., Horacek, J. (2023). Ketamine disrupts locomotion and electrolocation in a novel model of schizophrenia, Gnathonemus petersii fish. Journal of Neuroscience Research, 101(7), 1098-1106. https://doi.org/10.1002/jnr.25186  

Horka, P., Musilova, Z., Holubova, K., Jandova, K., Kukla, J., Rutkayova, J., & Jones, J., I. (2023).  Anthropogenic nutrient loading affects both individual species and the trophic structure of river fish communities. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 10, 1297. https://10.3389/fevo.2022.1076451

Mukherjee, S., Hanak, P., Jilkova, D., Musilova, Z., Horka, P., Lerch, Z., ... & Cermakova, E. (2023). Simultaneous detection and quantification of two European anglerfishes by novel genomic primer. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 115, 104992. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2022.104992

Cermakova, E., Lencova, S., Mukherjee, S., Horka, P., Vobruba, S., Demnerova, K., & Zdenkova, K. (2023). Identification of Fish Species and Targeted Genetic Modifications Based on DNA Analysis: State of the Art. Foods, 12(1), 228. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12010228

Mukherjee, S., Horka, P., Zdenkova, K., & Cermakova, E. (2023). Parvalbumin: A Major Fish Allergen and a Forensically Relevant Marker. Genes, 14(1), 223. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14010223

Semerád, J., Horká, P., Filipová, A., Kukla, J., Holubová, K., Musilová, Z., ... & Cajthaml, T. (2022). The driving factors of per-and polyfluorinated alkyl substance (PFAS) accumulation in selected fish species: The influence of position in river continuum, fish feed composition, and pollutant properties. Science of The Total Environment, 816, 151662. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151662

Holubová, K., Musilová, Z., & Horká, P. (2022). Regression analysis of the length-weight relationships for 17 common European fish in rivers in the Czech Republic. European Journal of Environmental Sciences, 12(2), 90-92. https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2022.11

Mukherjee, S., Bartoš, O., Zdeňková, K., Hanák, P., Horká, P., & Musilova, Z. (2021). Evolution of the parvalbumin genes in teleost fishes after the whole-genome duplication. Fishes, 6(4), 70. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes6040070

Langova, V., Vales, K., Horka, P., & Horacek, J. (2020). The role of zebrafish and laboratory rodents in schizophrenia research. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 703. https://10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00703

Hanzelka, J., Horká, P., & Reif, J. (2019). Spatial gradients in country‐level population trends of European birds. Diversity and Distributions, 25(10), 1527-1536. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.12945

Horká, P., Horký, P., & Slavík, O. (2019). Effect of implanting a passive integrated transponder tag in juvenile chub, Squalius cephalus (L.), on their condition, growth and survival. European Journal of Environmental Sciences, 9(2), 102-105. https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2019.13

Rutkayová, J., Vácha, F., Maršálek, M., Beneš, K., Civišová, H., Horká, P., ... & Šulista, M. (2018). Fish stock losses due to extreme floods–findings from pond‐based aquaculture in the Czech Republic. Journal of Flood Risk Management, 11(3), 351-359.  https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.12332

Slavík, O., Horký, P., Maciak, M., Horká, P., & Langrová, I. (2018). Diel movement of brown trout, Salmo trutta, is reduced in dense populations with high site fidelity. Ecology and Evolution, 8(9), 4495-4507.  https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.3981

Horká, P., Sychrová, O., Horký, P., Slavík, O., Švátora, M., & Petrusek, A. (2017). Feeding habits of the alien brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis and the native brown trout Salmo trutta in Czech mountain streams. Knowledge & Management of Aquatic Ecosystems, (418), 6. https://doi.org/10.1051/kmae/2016038

Horká, P., Horký, P., Randák, T., Turek, J., Rylková, K., & Slavík, O. (2015). Radio‐telemetry shows differences in the behaviour of wild and hatchery‐reared European grayling Thymallus thymallus in response to environmental variables. Journal of Fish Biology, 86(2), 544-557. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.12575

Horký, P., Horká, P., Jurajda, P., & Slavík, O. (2013). Young‐of‐the‐year (YOY) assemblage sampling as a tool for assessing the ecological quality of running waters. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 29(5), 1040-1049.  https://doi.org/10.1111/jai.12172

Musil, J., Horký, P., Slavík, O., Zbořil, A., & Horká, P. (2012). The response of the young of the year fish to river obstacles: Functional and numerical linkages between dams, weirs, fish habitat guilds and biotic integrity across large spatial scale. Ecological Indicators, 23, 634-640. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2012.05.018

Horká, P., Horký, P., Slavík, O., & Opatřilová, L. (2012). Diurnal behavioural patterns and spread of the Ponto‐Caspian invader Hemimysis anomala GO Sars, 1907 (Crustacea, Mysidacea) in the Elbe River, Czech Republic. International review of hydrobiology, 97(5), 454-462. https://doi.org/10.1002/iroh.201101429

Horká, P., Ibbotson, A., Jones, J. I., Cove, R. J., & Scott, L. J. (2010). Validation of scale‐age determination in European grayling Thymallus thymallus using tag‐recapture analysis. Journal of Fish Biology, 77(1), 153-161.  https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02664.x

Kulíšková, P., Horký, P., Slavík, O., & Jones, J. I. (2009). Factors influencing movement behaviour and home range size in ide Leuciscus idus. Journal of Fish Biology, 74(6), 1269-1279.  https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2009.02198.x  

Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Petra_Horka/publications

FISH ECOLOGY LABORATORY

Current students

PhD Students

Subham Mukherjee

Molecular characterization of parvalbumin gene: Evolutionary insights and forensic applications for fish species identification and authentication

In my doctoral studies, I have focused on investigating the role of parvalbumin genes in fish. The research has encompassed various aspects related to these genes, including their significance as major fish allergens and their potential as forensic markers. I have conducted an in-depth analysis of the evolutionary diversity of parvalbumin genes in teleost fishes, revealing a complex gene repertoire resulting from whole-genome duplication events. Additionally, I have developed a novel real-time PCR assay that enables the simultaneous detection and quantification of European anglerfish species using specific genomic primers targeting the parvalbumin gene. Furthermore, I have contributed to the development of plasmid calibrators for the absolute quantification of the β-parvalbumin gene in Lophius piscatorius, a species known for its allergenic properties. Finally, I have explored the application of a universal primer for detecting and quantifying the parvalbumin gene, providing an alternative to commonly used mitochondrial gene markers in forensic investigations. Overall, my research aims to enhance our understanding of parvalbumin genes and their potential applications in the fields of allergenicity assessment, species identification, and food fraud prevention.“

Recent publications:

Mukherjee, S., Horka, P., Zdenkova, K., & Cermakova, E. (2023). Parvalbumin: A Major Fish Allergen and a Forensically Relevant Marker. Genes, 14(1), 223. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14010223

Mukherjee, S., Hanak, P., Jilkova, D., Musilova, Z., Horka, P., Lerch, Z., ... & Cermakova, E. (2023). Simultaneous detection and quantification of two European anglerfishes by novel genomic primer. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 115, 104992. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2022.104992

Cermakova, E., Lencova, S., Mukherjee, S., Horka, P., Vobruba, S., Demnerova, K., & Zdenkova, K. (2023). Identification of Fish Species and Targeted Genetic Modifications Based on DNA Analysis: State of the Art. Foods, 12(1), 228. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12010228

Mukherjee, S., Bartoš, O., Zdeňková, K., Hanák, P., Horká, P., & Musilova, Z. (2021). Evolution of the parvalbumin genes in teleost fishes after the whole-genome duplication. Fishes, 6(4), 70. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes6040070

Kateřina Holubová (born Dalecká)

Fish community trophic structure and interactions in anthropogenically modified rivers

In my PhD work, I am interested in fish species in anthropogenically impacter river environments. My research focuses mainly on the Vltava River and Elbe River in the Czech Republic. The research includes interactions of fish in the food webs: trophic positions in the food chain, interactions between fish species and their ecological groups, trophic overlaps and how they respond to the environment and available food sources. A part of my work aims to evaluate the trophic interactions of invasive species on native fish communities, especially round gobies. To evaluate these interactions I use stable isotope analysis (δ¹³N, δ¹⁵C).

Recent publications:

Horka, P., Musilova, Z., Holubova, K., Jandova, K., Kukla, J., Rutkayova, J., & Jones, J. I. Anthropogenic nutrient loading affects both individual species and the trophic structure of river fish communities. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 10, 1297. https://10.3389/fevo.2022.1076451

Holubová, K., Musilová, Z., & Horká, P. (2022). Regression analysis of the length-weight relationships for 17 common European fish in rivers in the Czech Republic. European Journal of Environmental Sciences, 12(2), 90-92. https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2022.11

Langova, V., Horka, P., Hubeny, J., Novak, T., Vales, K., Adamek, P., Holubova, K., Horacek, J. (2023). Ketamine disrupts locomotion and electrolocation in a novel model of schizophrenia, Gnathonemus petersii fish. Journal of Neuroscience Research, 101(7), 1098-1106. https://doi.org/10.1002/jnr.25186

Semerád, J., Horká, P., Filipová, A., Kukla, J., Holubová, K., Musilová, Z., ... & Cajthaml, T. (2022). The driving factors of per-and polyfluorinated alkyl substance (PFAS) accumulation in selected fish species: The influence of position in river continuum, fish feed composition, and pollutant properties. Science of The Total Environment, 816, 151662. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151662

Josefína Mavrogeni

Food web structure and trophic ecology of the deep-sea fishes in the Sargasso Sea

My field of interest are trophic webs and feeding ecology of fishes in general. Right now I am mostly interested in saltwater fish. Concretely, I am working on a studying and attempting to reconstruct trophic webs of deep sea fishes. My specimens are mostly from the mesopelagium (200-1000 m depth) from around the Azores and from the Sargasso Sea.

Master Students

Kateřina Juhaňáková

Behavior and electric activity of the Gnathonemus petersii in basic neurobehavioral tests

The topic of my diploma thesis is Behaviour and electric signaling of Gnathonemus petersii species in basic neurobehavioral tests. G. petersii is a weakly electric fish that emits electric signals - EOD (electric organ discharges) and uses them for electrolocation and electrocommunication. Among others, the fish's ability to communicate and its eventual recording makes G. petersii a good potential model organism for neurobiological and neuroethological research. Specifically, we monitored the behaviour and electric signaling in the open field and object preference tests. The goal of the study is to find out whether there are similarities in the behaviour of G. Petersii and the behaviour of zebrafish and laboratory rodents which are model organisms widely used in neuroscience research. And, also, if the consistency in behaviour (total/anxious/exploratory) of individuals will occur that would imply a personality of individuals.

Bachelor students

Mikuláš Horák

Sargasso sea fish trophic ecology

The Sargasso Sea is one of the most unique habitats that can be found in the world's oceans. However, the feeding relationships in fish communities and the diversity of their trophic niches are not yet satisfactorily described. The aim of the bachelor thesis is a search that would provide an overview of current knowledge of feeding relationships in fish communities inhabiting this ecosystem.

Supervised theses (defended)

Mgr.

Monika Vlachová (2023): Vliv turbidity na chování oukleje Alburnus alburnus

David Dostál (2022): Trofická struktura společenstev ryb v antropogenně ovlivněných řekách
Nikola Kofentová (2022): Trofická struktura společenstev ryb v tocích nad vodní nádrží Lipno

Karolína Jeníšová (2022): Vliv eutrofizace a zákalu na ryby v říčním prostředí

Kateřina Dalecká (2020): Trofická struktura a interakce ve společenstvech ryb v říčním prostředí

Josefovičová Anna (2019): Denní aktivita oukleje obecné Alburnus alburnus ve vztahu k potravní nabídce

Bc.

David Dostál (2019): Trofická struktura společenstev ryb v antropogenně ovlivněných řekách
Karolína Jeníšová (2019): Vliv eutrofizace na společenstva ryb v tekoucích vodách

Nikola Kofentová (2019): Vliv příčných překážek na společenstva ryb v říčním prostředí

Anna Josefovičová (2016): Potravní migrace kaprovitých ryb

Vít Inquort (2016): Využití stabilních izotopů v potravní ekologii ryb