Jan Štefka

The BEAC, an epigenetic clock for birds

The paper develops BEAC, an epigenetic clock for birds, validated across multiple species and showing strong predictive performance for chronological age.

Generalist vs specialist strategy shapes microbiomes in blood feeding parasite Polyplax serrata.

The paper compares microbiome diversity between generalist and specialist lineages of the louse Polyplax serrata using 16S rRNA sequencing, finding that the generalist lineage has more heterogeneous microbiomes.

Immunogenetic diversity and haemosporidian parasitization in European bluethroats (Luscinia svecica): do diverse genes warrant fewer parasites?

The study examines immunogenetic diversity and haemosporidian parasitization in bluethroats, finding no significant link between genetic diversity and parasite prevalence.

Highly resolved genome assembly and comparative transcriptome profiling reveal genes related to developmental stages of the tapeworm Ligula intestinalis

This study presents the first genome assembly of Ligula intestinalis and identifies differentially expressed genes between adult worms and plerocercoid larvae, revealing genes related to reproductive development and immune evasion.

Highly resolved genomes as a tool for studying speciation history of two closely related louse lineages with different host specificities.

The paper presents genomes of two closely related rodent louse lineages with different host specificities, revealing their deep evolutionary origin and potential cryptic speciation.