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This thesis investigates the causes for the abrupt, universal and virtually unprecedented decline in the total fertility rate in transition Europe. Using evidence from Russia, it tests two competing hypotheses on the fertility decline: the demographic and economic hypotheses. Empirical findings can be summarized as follows: I find insufficient support for the demographic hypothesis-the fertility decline in Russia cannot satisfactorily be explained by a simultaneous shift in values and attitudes towards reproduction and timing of births. In contrast, I provide preliminary cross-regional evidence to support the economic hypothesis-regions with the largest fall in (the proxy for) income and large uncertainty experienced the largest declines in the fertility rates. This result is consistent with Becker's economic model of reproductive behaviour, insofar as it establishes a positive relationship between changes in income and fertility. It however introduces an additional explanatory variable: people's perception of uncertainty. In a preliminary attempt to reconcile the standard economic model with these findings, a simple model of households' reproductive decision is developed. It shows that each household tends to postpone the decision for an incremental child, whenever there is widespread uncertainty. It suggests that, if the individual decision to procrastinate is replicated over a large number of households, it can lead to an aggregate, short-term fall in the fertility rate. Provided that conclusions for the transition European region can be drawn from the Russian evidence, this inquiry shows that fertility has declined in response to a lower income and higher uncertainty: it reflects the deterioration in the quality of life and a loss in welfare. Thus, it is a strong negative indicator of the transition process.

Cadmium (Cd) is a priority pollutant in ecosystems worldwide. It is highly toxic to aquatic organisms including fish at fairly low concentrations. Numerous studies have investigated the influence of Cd exposure on fish, but few of them have considered how environmentally relevant levels of Cd affect reproduction, particularly reproductive behaviour. To assess the toxicity of Cd on fish reproduction, breeding fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed to water-borne Cd for 21 days at four different concentrations (0, 1, 2.5 and 5 µg/L, respectively) based on a standard short-term reproductive assay and reproductive performance as well as behaviour were examined during or at the end of the exposure period. The results showed that Cd accumulated in a dose-dependent manner in the livers and ovaries of female fish. Brood size and mean egg production were significantly reduced in Cd-exposure treatment groups. When fertilized eggs were incubated in the water containing 2.5 µg/L or higher Cd, there was delayed hatching, but at the same time there was greater synchronous hatching after hatching started. Hatching success of Cd-exposed eggs also declined compared to the control. No significant difference was observed among treatments in adult fish survival, the number of breeding attempts, fertilization success, egg size, plasma β-estradiol levels of female, larval deformities, reproductive behaviour, gonadosomatic index or liver somatic index. The results of this study demonstrate that Cd is able to impair reproduction of fathead minnow at the concentration as low as 0.64 µg/L. It is harmful to both breeding fish and their offspring. The traditional endpoints used in standard reproduction assay (e.g. egg production and brood size) are probably more sensitive than behavioural endpoints, but the traditional method of interpreting reproductive impairment may underestimate toxic effects. The findings of this study have important implications for understanding the effects of chronic Cd exposure in metal-impacted feral fish populations. It can be applied to the protection or restoration of fish populations in Cd contaminated aquatic systems.

The main aim of this thesis is to analyse the impact of HIV/AIDS on the reproductive behaviour of population of South Africa, its four racial groups and its nine provinces since the half of 1980's. Before the analysis of the impact of HIV/AIDS on reproductive behaviour was made, it was shown how big the problem of HIV/AIDS is in South Africa. The HIV incidence and prevalence were used for this purpose. The impact of HIV/AIDS was noticeable from the comparison of levels of fertility between HIV positive and negative women. The impact of HIV/AIDS on reproductive behaviour was further assessed using the decomposition methods and the statistical and epidemiological indicator called population attributable change. The results of analyses revealed the exceptional position of South Africa between other African countries that suffer from HIV/AIDS as well. A regression analysis showed that the growing prevalence of HIV increases the overall level of fertility. At the end of the thesis the projection of fertility till 2030 was made to illustrate the theoretical development of fertility provided that nobody become infected with HIV since the beginning of 2010.

This thesis focuses on childlesness in lifestyle concept. The aim of the thesis is to characterize the lifestyle of childless respondents. The work describes the various lifestyle related factors and reproductive plans. Comprehensive analysis is processed using logistic regression and determines how much a given factors affects repro- ductive plans and ultimate childlessness. Key words: childlesness, life style, fertility, reproductive behaviour 1

Communication among animals often relies on visible signals and the ability to compatibly perceive them. Correct signal perception is especially important for animals with male sexual selection. In my master's thesis, I am addressing the issue of how does a male golden-ringed dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii) recognize a female of the same kind and therefore, what is the main trigger of copulation behavior. Dragonflies display a wide variety of colors and possess very big eyes. These characteristics already suggest that they are very liable on color vision (Futahashi, 2015). Their sight is perfectly developed within the insect class and plays the most important role in the imagines in comparison to other senses. The ability to orient themselves using sight is not just important for orientation in space, nonetheless it is important for reproduction. Since golden-ringed dragonflies do not demonstrate visible color dimorphism, previous as well as my research suggests that the key role for female reconnaissance is primarily their typical movement above water surface during oviposition. In my research, I presented variable types of lure - females to male golden-ringed dragonflies and I observed what is the foremost trigger of reproduction behavior in the males. Besides the above mentioned female...

A estrutura social (ES) de uma espécie está associada à aspectos socio-ecológicos. A linhagem dos Caviomorfos é apontada como um modelo interessante para estudos deste tipo. Os equimídeos são um exemplo de grande diversidade de habitats: possui espécies de Mata Atlância (Trinomys setosus), da Caatinga (T. yonenagae) e fossoriais (Clyomys bishopi). Por isso, escolhemos esses grupos para uma análise intra e interespecífica sobre suas ES, utilizando a abordagem de redes sociais para descrever padrões de associação e interações agonísticas e afliativas. Nosso objetivo foi descrever a superfície da ES de dois grupos de T. setosus, e quatro de C. bishopi em cativeiro. Para tanto, quantificamos parâmetros da ES e avaliamos a relação entre as interações, hierarquia de dominância e as associações espaciais. Avaliamos a dinâmica do grupo usando as distâncias médias interindividuais e o padrão de agregação do grupo. Quantificamos a frequência de vitórias e perdas entre indivíduos em conflitos agonísticos e a frequência de interações afiliativas, através do método todas as ocorrências. As matrizes, índices e redes sociais foram geradas utilizando o software SOCPROG 2.8. Foram encontradas associações preferenciais de curto e longo prazo, em T. setosus, e de curto prazo para Clyomys. Trinomys setosus mostrou altos índices de afiliação, enquanto que em Clyomys houve igual proporção de afiliativos e agonísticos, sendo assim socialmente menos tolerante do que T. setosus reunindo-se apenas para algumas atividades, e as fêmeas são ainda menos tolerantes do que os machos. Sugerimos que a fêmea Meg é dominante sobre os outros, que se organizam em uma hierarquia não linear, mais igualitária e que esta população de T. setosus apresenta níveis de associação, conectividade e interações sociais positivas, semelhantes com T. yonenagae. Quanto ao comportamento reprodutivo, observamos que em T. setosus, há estro pós-parto, como se esperava com base em T. yonenagae e acreditamos haver algum mecanismo de supressão de estro que precisa ser melhor investigado. Três fêmeas engravidaram, cada uma em um momento. Testes genéticos de paternidade realizados indicaram que embora nas gestações de uma das fêmeas (Meg) não houve multipaternidade, ela não escolheu sempre o mesmo macho, e isto sugere uma estratégia de acasalamento promíscua, por parte da fêmea. Os machos de C. bishopi não parecem exercer defesa de parceira sexual nem formação de vínculo após a cópula, sugerindo uma estratégia também promíscua de acasalamento, como em T. setosus. O repertório comportamental para as espécies T. setosus e Clyomys manteve-se semelhante ao de T. yonenagae. Em conclusão, nossos resultados, pioneiros na utilização comparativa de análises de redes sociais, mostram que as espécies apresentam particularidades importantes quanto ao seu comportamento social, mas que são bastante semelhantes em muitos aspectos, o que traz novas perspectivas quanto ao estudo evolutivo e comparativo dessas espécies e também no que diz respeito à manutenção adequada desses animais em cativeiro, considerando condições de bem-estar animal e conservação. / Social structure (SS) of species is associated with socio-ecological aspects and Caviomorpha is pointed as an interesting model for studies of this type. Echimyidae are an example of great diversity of habitats: it has species of Atlantic Rainforest (Trinomys setosus), Caatinga (T. yonenagae) and fossorial (Clyomys bishopi). Therefore, we chose these groups for an intra and interspecific analysis of their SS, using social networks analysis to describe patterns of association, agonistic and affiliative interactions. Our aim was to describe the SS surface of two groups of T. setosus, and four of C. bishopi in captivity. We quantified descriptors parameters and evaluated the relation between interactions, dominance hierarchy and spatial associations through social networks approach. We evaluated group dynamics using the mean interindividual distances and the group aggregation pattern. We quantify frequency of victories and losses between individuals in agonistic conflicts and frequency of affiliative interactions through the all occurrences method. Matrices, indexes and social networks were generated using SOCPROG 2.8 software. Short and long term preferential associations were found in T. setosus, and short term for Clyomys. Trinomys setosus showed high affiliation rates, while Clyomys had an equal proportion of affiliative and agonistic, being thus socially less tolerant than T. setosus, agglomerating only for some activities, and females are even less tolerant than males. We suggest that female Meg is dominant over others, which are organized in a non-linear, more egalitarian hierarchy and this T. setosus population presents levels of association, connectivity, and positive social interactions, similar to T. yonenagae. Regarding reproductive behaviour, in T. setosus, there is postpartum oestrus, as expected based on T. yonenagae, and we regard there is some mechanism of oestrus suppression that must to be investigated. Three females became pregnant, each in a different moment. Genetic tests of paternity performed indicated that although in the pregnancies of unique female (Meg \') there was no multipaternity, not always choose the same male, and this suggests a promiscuous mating strategy on the part of the female. The males of C. bishopi do not seem to exert sexual partner defence or bond formation after copulation, suggesting a promiscuous breeding strategy as in T. setosus. Behavioural repertoire for T. setosus and Clyomys bishopi remained similar to T. yonenagae. In conclusion, our results, which are pioneers in comparative use of social network analysis, presents important peculiarities of species, regarding their social behaviour, although are quite similar in many aspects, which brings new perspectives regarding evolutionary and comparative study of these species and also considering adequate maintenance of animals in captivity, whereas conditions of animal welfare and conservation.

A estrutura social (ES) de uma espécie está associada à aspectos socio-ecológicos. A linhagem dos Caviomorfos é apontada como um modelo interessante para estudos deste tipo. Os equimídeos são um exemplo de grande diversidade de habitats: possui espécies de Mata Atlância (Trinomys setosus), da Caatinga (T. yonenagae) e fossoriais (Clyomys bishopi). Por isso, escolhemos esses grupos para uma análise intra e interespecífica sobre suas ES, utilizando a abordagem de redes sociais para descrever padrões de associação e interações agonísticas e afliativas. Nosso objetivo foi descrever a superfície da ES de dois grupos de T. setosus, e quatro de C. bishopi em cativeiro. Para tanto, quantificamos parâmetros da ES e avaliamos a relação entre as interações, hierarquia de dominância e as associações espaciais. Avaliamos a dinâmica do grupo usando as distâncias médias interindividuais e o padrão de agregação do grupo. Quantificamos a frequência de vitórias e perdas entre indivíduos em conflitos agonísticos e a frequência de interações afiliativas, através do método todas as ocorrências. As matrizes, índices e redes sociais foram geradas utilizando o software SOCPROG 2.8. Foram encontradas associações preferenciais de curto e longo prazo, em T. setosus, e de curto prazo para Clyomys. Trinomys setosus mostrou altos índices de afiliação, enquanto que em Clyomys houve igual proporção de afiliativos e agonísticos, sendo assim socialmente menos tolerante do que T. setosus reunindo-se apenas para algumas atividades, e as fêmeas são ainda menos tolerantes do que os machos. Sugerimos que a fêmea Meg é dominante sobre os outros, que se organizam em uma hierarquia não linear, mais igualitária e que esta população de T. setosus apresenta níveis de associação, conectividade e interações sociais positivas, semelhantes com T. yonenagae. Quanto ao comportamento reprodutivo, observamos que em T. setosus, há estro pós-parto, como se esperava com base em T. yonenagae e acreditamos haver algum mecanismo de supressão de estro que precisa ser melhor investigado. Três fêmeas engravidaram, cada uma em um momento. Testes genéticos de paternidade realizados indicaram que embora nas gestações de uma das fêmeas (Meg) não houve multipaternidade, ela não escolheu sempre o mesmo macho, e isto sugere uma estratégia de acasalamento promíscua, por parte da fêmea. Os machos de C. bishopi não parecem exercer defesa de parceira sexual nem formação de vínculo após a cópula, sugerindo uma estratégia também promíscua de acasalamento, como em T. setosus. O repertório comportamental para as espécies T. setosus e Clyomys manteve-se semelhante ao de T. yonenagae. Em conclusão, nossos resultados, pioneiros na utilização comparativa de análises de redes sociais, mostram que as espécies apresentam particularidades importantes quanto ao seu comportamento social, mas que são bastante semelhantes em muitos aspectos, o que traz novas perspectivas quanto ao estudo evolutivo e comparativo dessas espécies e também no que diz respeito à manutenção adequada desses animais em cativeiro, considerando condições de bem-estar animal e conservação. / Social structure (SS) of species is associated with socio-ecological aspects and Caviomorpha is pointed as an interesting model for studies of this type. Echimyidae are an example of great diversity of habitats: it has species of Atlantic Rainforest (Trinomys setosus), Caatinga (T. yonenagae) and fossorial (Clyomys bishopi). Therefore, we chose these groups for an intra and interspecific analysis of their SS, using social networks analysis to describe patterns of association, agonistic and affiliative interactions. Our aim was to describe the SS surface of two groups of T. setosus, and four of C. bishopi in captivity. We quantified descriptors parameters and evaluated the relation between interactions, dominance hierarchy and spatial associations through social networks approach. We evaluated group dynamics using the mean interindividual distances and the group aggregation pattern. We quantify frequency of victories and losses between individuals in agonistic conflicts and frequency of affiliative interactions through the all occurrences method. Matrices, indexes and social networks were generated using SOCPROG 2.8 software. Short and long term preferential associations were found in T. setosus, and short term for Clyomys. Trinomys setosus showed high affiliation rates, while Clyomys had an equal proportion of affiliative and agonistic, being thus socially less tolerant than T. setosus, agglomerating only for some activities, and females are even less tolerant than males. We suggest that female Meg is dominant over others, which are organized in a non-linear, more egalitarian hierarchy and this T. setosus population presents levels of association, connectivity, and positive social interactions, similar to T. yonenagae. Regarding reproductive behaviour, in T. setosus, there is postpartum oestrus, as expected based on T. yonenagae, and we regard there is some mechanism of oestrus suppression that must to be investigated. Three females became pregnant, each in a different moment. Genetic tests of paternity performed indicated that although in the pregnancies of unique female (Meg \') there was no multipaternity, not always choose the same male, and this suggests a promiscuous mating strategy on the part of the female. The males of C. bishopi do not seem to exert sexual partner defence or bond formation after copulation, suggesting a promiscuous breeding strategy as in T. setosus. Behavioural repertoire for T. setosus and Clyomys bishopi remained similar to T. yonenagae. In conclusion, our results, which are pioneers in comparative use of social network analysis, presents important peculiarities of species, regarding their social behaviour, although are quite similar in many aspects, which brings new perspectives regarding evolutionary and comparative study of these species and also considering adequate maintenance of animals in captivity, whereas conditions of animal welfare and conservation.

The aim of this thesis is an analysis of fertility of 1st order in the Czech Republic at period 1950 2014 including international comparision, an enumeration of cohort fertility and also analysis of structure and count of households according to number of childern. The thesis is divided into four parts for accomplishment of the aim. The first part focuses the theoretical interpretation and the analysis of fertility of order in the Czech Republic using indicators like number of live birth, total fertility rate, mean age of birth and portion of children born inside or outside of marriage. The second part compares level of fertility of 1st order in European countries according to NIDI 1999. The third part deals with cohort fertility which is ilustrated with complete cohort fertility rate and mean age at birth. The fourth part analyzes structure and count of complete and incomplete family households according to number of children. All parts are commented with context of progression of reproductive behaviour