2016 – Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, achieved degree: Assoc. prof. in Forest Protection and Game Management
2005 – 2009 Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, achieved degree: Ph.D. in Silviculture
2000 – 2005 Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, achieved degree: M.Sc. in Forest Engineering
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Sensory and behavioral ecology, autecology and population ecology, wildlife biology and game management, research management.
48
Scopus Publications
1012
Scholar Citations
17
Scholar h-index
29
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Use of animal biometrics for accurate hunting evidence of wild ungulates: red deer as a model species Ondřej Kanich, Jan Cukor, Jana Adámková, Vlastimil Skoták, Martin Sakin, et al. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2026 Central Europe faces an overabundance of wild ungulates, which is driven by several factors, including traditional hunting practices. The harvest of females is insufficient and recorded without verification, even when they were not actually hunted. This practice contributes to further population growth through accurate hunting records. Therefore, basic procedures for automated registration based on muzzle pattern animal biometric evaluation of harvested wild ungulates were proposed. The red deer ( Cervus elaphus ) served as the model species. For the assessment of biometric characteristics, 2,193 photographs were taken from the frontal and overhead directions of 972 harvested red deer during regular game management. A comparison of the collected images using the LoFTR ( Local Feature TRansformer ) method revealed the potential for individual identification, with the peak accuracy of 95.048%. On the contrary, the minimum accuracy was 90.048% using a combination of overhead and frontal images of high and medium quality. Because there is no solution for the recognition of ungulates the comparison of these results was performed with the recognition systems for pets and livestock. Achieved accuracy is around 2% better than comparable recognition systems (with similar dataset size, number of feature points, etc.). The results confirmed that biometric methods can be used to identify and record harvested game. This can be achieved by developing a mobile application that transmits images for automated comparison and evaluation. Once individual identity is confirmed, the animal will be registered. This ensures a verifiable record of harvested game and provides a solid foundation for sustainable hunting planning.
The Effect of High-Voltage Power Lines on Magnetic Orientation of Domestic Dogs Nataliia S. Iakovenko, Kateřina Benediktová, Jana Adámková, Vlastimil Hart, Hana Brinkeová, et al. Animals, 2025 Domestic dogs can sense the geomagnetic field (GMF), spontaneously aligning their bodies along its axis, altering the alignment’s pattern during geomagnetic disturbances. Whether anthropogenic magnetic fields (MF) from high-voltage power lines (PL) influence this behavior remains unclear. We investigated the effects of alternating MF generated by PL on spontaneous magnetic alignment in 36 dogs. Behavior was recorded under north–south (NS) and east–west (EW) oriented PL and compared with control conditions lacking anthropogenic MF. Each dog’s mean alignment angle relative to magnetic north was calculated from >50 measurements per condition, and Grand Means (GMs) were derived. Under control geomagnetically calm conditions, alignment was bimodal (GM = 23°/203°), while geomagnetic storms caused significant shifts and increased angular dispersion. Under NS-oriented PL, alignment remained bimodal (GM = 5°/185°), but under EW-oriented PL it became trimodal (Likelihood ratio test for multimodality: nodes = 3, p = 0.042; GM = 103°/283°). These differences were statistically significant (LME for linearized angles: p < 0.001 for control vs. NS PL and control vs. EW PL). Our results demonstrate that dogs maintain directional alignment under PL exposure, with orientation patterns corresponding to the direction of both MF and PL, which suggests a potentially complex impact involving non-magnetic cues.
Development of a multisensor biologging collar and analytical techniques to describe high-resolution spatial behavior in free-ranging terrestrial mammals Michael S. Painter, Václav Silovský, Justin Blanco, Mark Holton, Monika Faltusová, et al. Ecology and Evolution, 2024 Biologging has proven to be a powerful approach to investigate diverse questions related to movement ecology across a range of spatiotemporal scales and increasingly relies on multidisciplinary expertise. However, the variety of animal‐borne equipment, coupled with little consensus regarding analytical approaches to interpret large, complex data sets presents challenges and makes comparison between studies and study species difficult. Here, we present a combined hardware and analytical approach for standardizing the collection, analysis, and interpretation of multisensor biologging data. Here, we present (i) a custom‐designed integrated multisensor collar (IMSC), which was field tested on 71 free‐ranging wild boar (Sus scrofa) over 2 years; (ii) a machine learning behavioral classifier capable of identifying six behaviors in free‐roaming boar, validated across individuals equipped with differing collar designs; and (iii) laboratory and field‐based calibration and accuracy assessments of animal magnetic heading measurements derived from raw magnetometer data. The IMSC capacity and durability exceeded expectations, with a 94% collar recovery rate and a 75% cumulative data recording success rate, with a maximum logging duration of 421 days. The behavioral classifier had an overall accuracy of 85% in identifying the six behavioral classes when tested on multiple collar designs and improved to 90% when tested on data exclusively from the IMSC. Both laboratory and field tests of magnetic compass headings were in precise agreement with expectations, with overall median magnetic headings deviating from ground truth observations by 1.7° and 0°, respectively. Although multisensor equipment and sophisticated analyses are now commonplace in biologging studies, the IMSC hardware and analytical framework presented here provide a valuable tool for biologging researchers and will facilitate standardization of biologging data across studies. In addition, we highlight the potential of additional analyses available using this framework that can be adapted for use in future studies on terrestrial mammals.
A revision of the trichostrongylid nematode Cooperia Ransom, 1907, from deer game: recent integrative research confirms the existence of the ancient host-specific species Cooperia ventricosa (Rudolphi, 1809) Martina Albrechtová, Eva Štefková Kašparová, Iva Langrová, Vlastimil Hart, Birger Neuhaus, et al. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2024 The trichostrongylid roundworms of the genus Cooperia, which are important in veterinary medicine, currently comprise 19 valid species that parasitize the small intestine of both free-living and domestic ruminants. Only four Cooperia spp. have been reported in Europe, namely C. oncophora, C. punctata, C. curticei and C. pectinata. In 2018–2022, 25 red deer (Cervus elaphus) and 30 sika deer (Cervus nippon) of both sexes and various ages from several remote locations in the Czech Republic were parasitologically examined. Intestinal nematodes of the genus Cooperia were found only in two northern regions. Using the globally recognized key book on trichostrongylid nematodes, they were preliminarily identified as C. pectinata. However, a molecular analysis of cox2 and ITS rDNA gene sequences revealed that Cooperia sp. parasitizing Czech deer is a separate taxon that is more closely related to C. oncophora than to C. pectinata. A subsequent morphological analysis and literature survey confirmed the independence of deer Cooperia sp., which is similar but not identical to bovid C. pectinata. Previous long-term correct identifications of bovid C. pectinata and misidentifications of deer Cooperia species were caused by a fundamental error in the key book mentioned above. Interestingly, the ancient trichostrongylid nematode Strongylus ventricosus from the type host red deer (Cervus elaphus) shot near Greifswald (Germany) was described by Rudolphi in 1809. Rudolphi's type material (one male and four females) was deposited in the Museum für Naturkunde (Berlin). Later, the ancient species S. ventricosus was taken as a synonym for various Cooperia spp. Our current re-examination of the type male indicated that there is a relatively good agreement with our new material from Czech deer regarding the most important characteristics of S. ventricosus (i.e., the shape and size of the male spicules); however, Rudolphi's type material is in rather poor condition. The suggested resurrection of the deer Cooperia sp. in this study as Cooperia ventricosa (Rudolphi, 1809) requires verification by collecting and analyzing new nematode material from the type locality near Greifswald.
Black Grouse Hissing Calls Show Geographic Variability across the Distribution Area Lucie Hambálková, Richard Policht, Jan Cukor, Vlastimil Hart, Richard Ševčík Animals, 2023 The black grouse is a species whose population development requires constant monitoring due to a rapidly declining trend, especially in Central Europe. Variability in the voices of geographically separated populations can aid in counting within individual populations. This has been investigated with the black grouse. However, the variability of the acoustic behavior of black grouse between populations was investigated for the first time. In total, 82 male black grouse were recorded during the lekking season in four countries: the Czech Republic, Scotland, Finland, and Russia. We analyzed recordings of hissing calls, i.e., the non-vocal signal. DFA analysis correctly classified almost 70% of the recordings. The results indicate a certain degree of difference between the grouse populations from the four countries examined. The mean frequency of hissing calls for populations was 1410.71 ± 170.25 Hz, 1473.89 ± 167.59 Hz, 1544.38 ± 167.60 Hz, and 1826.34 ± 319.23 Hz in the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, and Scotland, respectively. Populations from Scotland and Russia have greater intra-variability compared to grouse from the Czech Republic and Finland, indicating that population density is not the principal factor in the geographical variability of black grouse hissing calls. Range-level differences enhance knowledge and facilitate the assessment of species evolution.
Individual and Geographic Variation in Non-Harmonic Phases of Male Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) Song Richard Policht, Vlastimil Hart Animals, 2023 Individually distinct acoustic signals, produced mainly as tonal and harmonic sounds, have been recorded in many species; however, non-tonal ‘noisy’ signals have received little attention or have not been studied in detail. The capercaillies (Tetrao urogallus) produce complex courtship songs composed of non-tonal noisy signals in four discrete phases. We analyzed recordings from 24 captive male capercaillies in breeding centres in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany, and songs from wild males in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Estonia to test whether a non-harmonic song can encode individual-specific information. We also analyzed the intra-population variation of the male song from three separate areas: Carpathian (Polish and Czech Beskid), Sumava, and Boreal (boreal range of species distribution). Temporal and frequency characteristics can reliably distinguish capercaillies at the individual level (91.7%). DFA model testing geographic variation assigned 91% of songs to the correct area (Carpathian, Sumava, Boreal). The cluster analysis revealed that males from the Boreal area formed a distinct cluster. Our analysis shows clear geographical patterns among our study males and may provide a valuable marker for identifying inter-population dynamics and could help to characterize the evolutionary histories of wood grouse. We discuss the potential use of this marker as a non-invasive monitoring tool for captive and free-roaming capercaillies.
The Application of 3D Imaging as an Appropriate Method of Wildlife Craniometry: Evaluation of Accuracy and Measurement Efficiency Klára Košinová, Jiří Turek, Jan Cukor, Rostislav Linda, Martin Häckel, et al. Animals, 2022 The suitability of CT and 3D scanners for craniometric proposes was tested using digital calipers when determining linear measurements, and a measuring cylinder was used for the accuracy of 3D printing of deer antlers obtained by the CT and 3D scanners. The resolution of digitized objects from a 3D scanner ranged from 0.008 mm to 0.122 mm. For mandibular dimensions, a positive deviation (p < 0.01) from the primary control measurement was recorded. The average antler volume measured with the cylinder was 60.47 cm3 at the first measurement, in the case of the CT scanner 61.62 cm3 and for the 3D scanner 64.76 cm3—both technologies exhibit a positive deviation from the primary measurement. Precise sensing and measurements can be used to evaluate the quality and evolution of wildlife populations, create digital museum collections, or to examine in detail certain traits such as antler and horn development or dentition.
A Pleistocene Fight Club revealed by the palaeobiological study of the Dama-like deer record from Pantalla (Italy) Marco Cherin, Marzia Breda, Bruno Esattore, Vlastimil Hart, Jiří Turek, et al. Scientific Reports, 2022 Here, we report on the exceptionally well-preserved deer record from the locality of Pantalla (central Italy), dated in the Early Pleistocene (ca. 2.1–2.0 million years ago). The fossils show a combination of characters that allows an unambiguous attribution to ‘Pseudodama’ nestii, of which they represent one of the most informative collections to date. Our comparisons—also conducted through CT-based methods on endocranial structures—reveal that the cranial and postcranial skeleton of ‘P.’ nestii displays a mosaic of intermediate characters between extant Dama and Cervus, but also that the affinities with Dama are prevalent. Some Cervus-like features especially in cranial morphology, can be interpreted as plesiomorphic characters supporting a basal position of ‘Pseudodama’ among the Cervini. Interestingly, three bone anomalies are described in the two male crania of ‘P.’ nestii from Pantalla and are interpreted as palaeotraumatological evidence resulting from different injuries suffered by the deer during their life. This allows opening a treasure trove of information on paleobiological aspects, including ontogeny and antler cycle and function.
7.24 - Magnetoreception in Mammals Hynek Burda, Sabine Begall, Vlastimil Hart, Erich Pascal Malkemper, Michael S. Painter, et al. Senses A Comprehensive Reference Volume 1 7 Second Edition, 2020
Use of animal biometrics for accurate hunting evidence of wild ungulates: red deer as a model species O Kanich, J Cukor, J Adámková, V Skoták, M Sakin, V Olejníčková, T Volf, ... Frontiers in Veterinary Science 13, 1736979 , 2026 2026
The Effect of High-Voltage Power Lines on Magnetic Orientation of Domestic Dogs NS Iakovenko, K Benediktová, J Adámková, V Hart, H Brinkeová, M Ježek, ... Animals 15 (24), 3534 , 2025 2025
Solitary working hunting dogs show a higher tendency for magnetic alignment, with decreased alignment in older dogs K Benediktová, N Iakovenko, J Adámková, L Bartoš, H Brinkeová, V Hart, ... Applied Animal Behaviour Science 285, 106575 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Development of a multisensor biologging collar and analytical techniques to describe high‐resolution spatial behavior in free‐ranging terrestrial mammals MS Painter, V Silovský, J Blanco, M Holton, M Faltusová, R Wilson, ... Ecology and Evolution 14 (9), e70264 , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
Corrigendum: A revision of the trichostrongylid nematode Cooperia Ransom, 1907, from deer game: recent integrative research confirms the existence of the ancient host … M Albrechtová, EŠ Kašparová, I Langrová, V Hart, B Neuhaus, ... Frontiers in Veterinary Science 11, 1388292 , 2024 2024
A revision of the trichostrongylid nematode Cooperia Ransom, 1907, from deer game: recent integrative research confirms the existence of the ancient host-specific species … M Albrechtová, EŠ Kašparová, I Langrová, V Hart, B Neuhaus, ... Frontiers in Veterinary Science 11, 1346417 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Black grouse hissing calls show geographic variability across the distribution area L Hambálková, R Policht, J Cukor, V Hart, R Ševčík Animals 13 (11), 1844 , 2023 2023 Citations: 2
Individual and Geographic Variation in Non-Harmonic Phases of Male Capercaillie ( Tetrao urogallus ) Song R Policht, V Hart Animals 13 (4), 765 , 2023 2023 Citations: 3
The application of 3D imaging as an appropriate method of wildlife craniometry: evaluation of accuracy and measurement efficiency K Košinová, J Turek, J Cukor, R Linda, M Häckel, V Hart Animals 12 (23), 3256 , 2022 2022 Citations: 5
A Pleistocene Fight Club revealed by the palaeobiological study of the Dama -like deer record from Pantalla (Italy) M Cherin, M Breda, B Esattore, V Hart, J Turek, F Porciello, G Angeli, ... Scientific Reports 12 (1), 13898 , 2022 2022 Citations: 20
Spying the dog: Wearable action camera as a tool to understand dog's behaviour during homing (Carnivora: Canidae). K BENEDIKTOVÁ, J ADÁMKOVÁ, M MASILKOVA, L BARTOŠ, ... Lynx, series nova 53 (1) , 2022 2022 Citations: 1
What does the mandible say about wild boar: Ontogenetic development, sexual dimorphism and habitat preferences R Policht Journal of Forest Science , 2022 2022 Citations: 2
Different patterns of human activities in nature during Covid-19 pandemic and African swine fever outbreak confirm direct impact on wildlife disruption J Cukor, R Linda, K Mahlerová, Z Vacek, M Faltusová, P Marada, ... Scientific Reports 11 (1), 20791 , 2021 2021 Citations: 30
Hunting dogs bark differently when they encounter different animal species R Policht, O Matějka, K Benediktová, J Adámková, V Hart Scientific reports 11 (1), 17407 , 2021 2021 Citations: 10
Acoustic individuality in the hissing calls of the male black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) L Hambálková, R Policht, J Horák, V Hart PeerJ 9, e11837 , 2021 2021 Citations: 12
Clone-dependent browsing damage of poplar plantations and the repellent potential of Populus nigra× P. maximowiczii ʻMax-4’ L Mrnka, T Frantík, EB Švecová, CS Schmidt, M Vosátka, D Knot, ... Forest Ecology and Management 483, 118888 , 2021 2021 Citations: 1
Wolf howling and emergency sirens: A hypothesis of natural and technical convergence of aposematic signals D Kořanová, L Němcová, R Policht, V Hart, S Begall, H Burda Acta Biotheoretica 69 (1), 53-65 , 2021 2021 Citations: 3
Individual-based acoustic variation of the alarm calls in the long-tailed ground squirrel D Goncharov, R Policht, L Hambálková, V Salovarov, V Hart Royal Society Open Science 8 (2) , 2021 2021 Citations: 2
Turning preference in dogs: North attracts while south repels J Adámková, K Benediktová, J Svoboda, L Bartoš, L Vynikalová, ... Plos one 16 (1), e0245940 , 2021 2021 Citations: 16
Hissing of geese: caller identity encoded in a non-vocal acoustic signal R Policht, A Kowalczyk, E Łukaszewicz, V Hart PeerJ 8, e10197 , 2020 2020 Citations: 8
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Dogs are sensitive to small variations of the Earth’s magnetic field V Hart, P Nováková, EP Malkemper, S Begall, V Hanzal, M Ježek, T Kušta, ... Frontiers in Zoology 10 (1), 80 , 2013 2013 Citations: 136
Magnetoreception in the wood mouse ( Apodemus sylvaticus ): influence of weak frequency-modulated radio frequency fields EP Malkemper, SHK Eder, S Begall, JB Phillips, M Winklhofer, V Hart, ... Scientific reports 5 (1), 9917 , 2015 2015 Citations: 99
Magnetic alignment in carps: evidence from the Czech Christmas fish market V Hart, T Kušta, P Němec, V Bláhová, M Ježek, P Nováková, S Begall, ... PloS one 7 (12), e51100 , 2012 2012 Citations: 78
Production and humus form development in forest stands established on agricultural lands-Kostelec nad Cernymi lesy region V Podrazsky, J Remes, V Hart, WK Moser Journal of Forest Science. 55 (7): 299-305. 55 (7), 299-305 , 2009 2009 Citations: 77
Directional compass preference for landing in water birds V Hart, EP Malkemper, T Kušta, S Begall, P Nováková, V Hanzal, ... Frontiers in Zoology 10 (1), 38 , 2013 2013 Citations: 44
Sexual dimorphism of cranial measurements in the red fox Vulpes vulpes (Canidae, Carnivora) from the Czech Republic M Hartová-Nentvichová, M Anděra, V Hart Folia Zoologica 59 (4), 285-294 , 2010 2010 Citations: 42
Deer on the railway line: spatiotemporal trends in mortality patterns of roe deer T Kusta, M Hola, Z Keken, M Jezek, T Zika, V Hart Turkish Journal of Zoology 38 (4), 479-485 , 2014 2014 Citations: 41
Compass-controlled escape behavior in roe deer P Obleser, V Hart, EP Malkemper, S Begall, M Holá, MS Painter, ... Behavioral ecology and sociobiology 70 (8), 1345-1355 , 2016 2016 Citations: 36
Magnetic alignment enhances homing efficiency of hunting dogs K Benediktová, J Adamkova, J Svoboda, MS Painter, L Bartoš, ... Elife 9, e55080 , 2020 2020 Citations: 35
Different patterns of human activities in nature during Covid-19 pandemic and African swine fever outbreak confirm direct impact on wildlife disruption J Cukor, R Linda, K Mahlerová, Z Vacek, M Faltusová, P Marada, ... Scientific Reports 11 (1), 20791 , 2021 2021 Citations: 30
Use of bio-loggers to characterize red fox behavior with implications for studies of magnetic alignment responses in free-roaming animals MS Painter, JA Blanco, EP Malkemper, C Anderson, DC Sweeney, ... Animal Biotelemetry 4 (1), 20 , 2016 2016 Citations: 25
Magnetoreception in mammals H Burda, S Begall, V Hart, EP Malkemper, MS Painter, JB Phillips The senses: a comprehensive reference, 421-444 , 2020 2020 Citations: 24
Magnetic alignment in warthogs Phacochoerus africanus and wild boars Sus scrofa J Červený, H Burda, M Ježek, T Kušta, V Husinec, P Nováková, V Hart, ... Mammal Review 47 (1), 1-5 , 2017 2017 Citations: 23
Directional preference in dogs: Laterality and" pull of the north" J Adámková, J Svoboda, K Benediktová, S Martini, P Nováková, D Tůma, ... PloS one 12 (9), e0185243 , 2017 2017 Citations: 22
The mortality patterns of wildlife-vehicle collisions in the Czech Republic. T KUŠTA, Z KEKEN, V BARTÁK, M Hola, M JEŽEK, V Hart, V Hanzal North-Western Journal of Zoology 10 (2) , 2014 2014 Citations: 22
A Pleistocene Fight Club revealed by the palaeobiological study of the Dama -like deer record from Pantalla (Italy) M Cherin, M Breda, B Esattore, V Hart, J Turek, F Porciello, G Angeli, ... Scientific Reports 12 (1), 13898 , 2022 2022 Citations: 20
Srovnání produkce porostu douglasky tisolisté (Pseudotsuga menziesii/Mirbel/Franco) s porostem smrku ztepilého (Picea abies L. Karst.) a stanovištně původním smíšeným porostem … P Tauchman, V Hart, J Remeš Zprávy lesnického výzkumu 55 (3), 187-194 , 2010 2010 Citations: 20
Turning preference in dogs: North attracts while south repels J Adámková, K Benediktová, J Svoboda, L Bartoš, L Vynikalová, ... Plos one 16 (1), e0245940 , 2021 2021 Citations: 16
The effect of sex on meat quality of fallow deer ( Dama dama ) from the farm located in the Middle Bohemia V Švrčula, K Košinová, M Okrouhlá, D Chodová, V Hart Italian Journal of Animal Science 18 (1), 498-504 , 2019 2019 Citations: 16
First findings of brown hare ( Lepus europaeus ) reintroduction in relation to seasonal impact J Cukor, F Havránek, R Linda, K Bukovjan, MS Painter, V Hart PloS one 13 (10), e0205078 , 2018 2018 Citations: 16