A5039389268- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Biodiversity
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- International Maritime Law Issues
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Plant and animal studies
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Digital Imaging for Blood Diseases
Universidade do Porto
2019-2023
University of Milan
2015-2022
Fondazione Edmund Mach
2015
Abstract Amphibians are an exemplary case of the current biodiversity crisis, being among vertebrates suffering fastest decline. Population dynamics amphibians can result from processes acting at different scales. Both local characteristics breeding wetlands and features surrounding landscape strongly affect temporal amphibian populations. European newts particularly threatened by land‐use change invasive alien species. While it is known that declining across Europe, few studies have...
Contact zones between two evolutionary lineages are often useful for understanding the process of speciation because observed genetic pattern reflects history differentiation. The Eurasian lacertid lizard Zootoca vivipara is a potentially interesting model studying role reproductive mode in squamate reptiles it has both oviparous (Zootoca carniolica) and viviparous vivipara) populations that have recently been shown to be genetically distinct. We studied newly-discovered syntopic area these...
Abstract Aim Effective policymaking for biological conservation requires the identification and ranking of most important areas protection or management. One frequently used systems selecting priority is Key Biodiversity Areas (hereafter KBAs), developed by International Union Conservation Nature (IUCN). However, KBAs cannot be to rank areas, potentially limiting their use when limited funding available. To tackle this shortcoming facilitate spatial prioritization, here we develop validate...
The genus Gephyromantis belongs to the species-rich family Mantellidae and is currently divided in six subgenera. Among these subgenus Phylacomantis, which includes four described species: pseudoasper , G. corvus azzurrae atsingy . latter three species are distributed western Madagascar, two of them ( ) occur Isalo Massif. Based on analysis molecular data (a fragment 16S rRNA gene), morphological inspection museum specimens, photographic comparisons, synonymised with second Phylacomantis...
Abstract Phylogenetic diversity is an increasingly applied metric used to maximize the representation of evolutionary history in spatial conservation planning. When following this approach, researchers commonly overlook sites with a relatively higher proportion recently diverged endemic species, also known as centers neo-endemism. Here we aim demonstrate how targeting different facets (taxonomic diversity, phylogenetic and endemism) can provide more cost-effective solutions all spectrum...
Abstract Geckos of clade III the Tarentola mauritanica species complex are widespread throughout southern Europe and northern Africa. We investigated genetic variability Italian populations by performing a sampling mainland two main islands Sicily Sardinia. analysed 199 newly generated sequences mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene 269 nuclear genotypes inferred from nine microsatellite loci 307 individuals. found 13 new haplotypes in Italy, whereas previous findings reported single haplotype country...
ABSTRACT Aim In order to implement effective conservation policies, it is crucial know how biodiversity distributed and one of the most widely used systems Key Biodiversity Areas (hereafter KBA) criteria, developed by International Union for Conservation Nature (IUCN). Here we develop a tool rank in continuous scale allow ranking between KBAs test this on simulated dataset 10 000 scenarios species compositions reptiles mammals eight locations Mozambique. Location Mozambique, Africa Methods...
Using an integrative taxonomic approach including genetic and morphological data, we formally describe a new microendemic gecko species belonging to the Paroedurabastardi clade, previously referred as P.bastardi D. We name this taxon currently known from Anja Reserve Tsaranoro Valley Forest (south-central Madagascar), P.manongavatosp. nov. The differs other of clade by ≥ 12.4% uncorrected p-distance at mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene it forms monophyletic group in COI mtDNA phylogenetic tree. It...
The study of diamond frogs (genus Rhombophryne, endemic to Madagascar) has been historically hampered by the paucity available specimens, because their low detectability in field. Over last 10 years, 13 new taxa have described, and 20 named species are currently recognized. Nevertheless, undescribed diversity within genus is probably large, calling for a revision taxonomic identification published records an update known distribution each lineage. Here we generate DNA sequences mitochondrial...
Madagascar has historically suffered from high fragmentation of forested habitats, often leading to biodiversity loss. Neverthless, forest fragments still retain levels biological diversity. The Haute Matsiatra Region (south-eastern Madagascar) hosts the renowned Andringitra National Park and several surrounding isolated embedded in a matrix human-dominated landscape. During herpetological survey conducted Region, we visited total 25 sites. We applied molecular taxonomic approach identify...
Most of the unique and diverse vertebrate fauna that inhabits Madagascar derives from in situ diversification colonisers reached this continental island through overseas dispersal. The endemic Malagasy Scincinae lizards are amongst most species-rich squamate groups on island. They colonised all bioclimatic zones display many ecomorphological adaptations to a fossorial (burrowing) lifestyle. Here we propose new phylogenetic hypothesis for their based largest taxon sampling so far compiled...