A5037918506- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Plant and animal studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Gut microbiota and health
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Marine animal studies overview
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens research
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Hemiptera Insect Studies
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Genetic and Environmental Crop Studies
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Genetics and Physical Performance
- Scarabaeidae Beetle Taxonomy and Biogeography
Universidad San Francisco de Quito
2016-2025
San Francisco State University
2006-2025
Galapagos (Belgium)
2024
University of San Francisco
2024
Charles Darwin Foundation
2017-2024
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2024
University of Connecticut
2023
Ecological Society of America
2020
John Wiley & Sons (United States)
2020
University of Miami
2013-2016
Urbanization transforms environments in ways that alter biological evolution. We examined whether urban environmental change drives parallel evolution by sampling 110,019 white clover plants from 6169 populations 160 cities globally. Plants were assayed for a Mendelian antiherbivore defense also affects tolerance to abiotic stressors. Urban-rural gradients associated with the of clines 47% throughout world. Variation strength was explained changes drought stress and vegetation cover varied...
ABSTRACT Restricted range size brings about noteworthy genetic consequences that may affect the viability of a population and eventually its extinction. Particularly, question if an increase in inbreeding can avert accumulation load via purging is hotly debated conservation field. Insular populations with limited sizes represent ideal setup for relating to these factors. Leveraging set eight differently sized Galápagos mockingbirds ( Mimus ), we investigated how island shaped effective N e...
Abstract Aim We explore the utility of newly available optical and microwave remote sensing data from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) QuikSCAT (QSCAT) instruments for species distribution modelling at regional to continental scales. Using eight Neotropical three taxonomic groups, we assess extent which can improve predictions their geographic distributions. For two bird species, investigate specific contributions different types variables model accuracy scale, where...
Abstract Adaptive radiation unfolds as selection acts on the genetic variation underlying functional traits. The nature of this can be revealed by studying tips an ongoing adaptive radiation. We studied genomic at Darwin's finch radiation; specifically focusing polymorphism within, and among, three sympatric species genus Geospiza . Using restriction site‐associated DNA ( RAD ‐seq), we characterized 32 569 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms SNP s), from which 11 outlier s for beak body size...
Abstract The passerine superfamily Certhioidea lacks a complete phylogeny despite decades of recognition as clade and extensive systematic work within all its constituent families. Here, we inferred near-complete species-level from molecular supermatrix, including the first comprehensive sampling wrens (Troglodytidae), used this to infer biogeographic diversification histories. We also an expanded nearly 100 putative phylospecies previously documented in literature, found that diversity had...
The Andes are known to have influenced speciation patterns in many taxa, yet whether species diversification occurred simultaneously with their uplift or only after was complete remains unknown. We examined both the phylogenetic pattern and dates of branching Adelomyia hummingbirds relation Andean determine coincides chronological phases recent climatic fluctuations formation. Results suggest that genus originated central Miocene found be comprised six deeply divergent phylogroups dating...
Darwin's finches are a clade of 19 species passerine birds native to the Galápagos Islands, whose biogeography, specialized beak morphologies, and dietary choices—ranging from seeds blood—make them classic example adaptive radiation. While these iconic have been intensely studied, composition their gut microbiome factors influencing it, including host species, diet, has not yet explored. We characterized microbial community associated with 12 using high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing fecal...
Urbanization is influencing patterns of biological evolution in ways that are only beginning to be explored. One potential effect urbanization modifying ecological resource distributions underlie niche differences and thus promote maintain species diversification. Few studies have assessed such modifications, or their evolutionary consequences, the context ongoing adaptive radiation. We study this Darwin's finches on Galápagos Islands, by quantifying feeding preferences diet partitioning...
Abstract The gut microbiota of animal hosts can be influenced by environmental factors, such as unnatural food items that are introduced humans. Over the past 30 years, human presence has grown exponentially in Galapagos Islands, which home to endemic Darwin's finches. Consequently, humans have changed environment and diet finches, turn, could affect their microbiota. In this study, we compared two species small ground finches ( Geospiza fuliginosa ) medium fortis ), across sites with...
Abstract We explored the evolutionary radiation in House Wren complex (Troglodytes aedon and allies), New World’s most widely distributed passerine species. The has been source of ongoing taxonomic debate. To evaluate phenotypic variation complex, we collected 81,182 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from restriction site associated loci (RADseq) mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) samples representing geographic diversity complex. Both datasets reveal deep phylogeographic structuring, with...
Abstract The northern Andes, with their steep elevational and climate gradients, are home to an exceptional diversity of flora fauna, particularly rich in avian species that have adapted divergent ecological conditions. With this comes the opportunity for parasites exploit a wide breadth hosts. However, little research has focused on examining patterns prevalence lineage Andes. Here, we screened total 428 birds from 19 (representing nine families) identified 133 infections haemosporidia...
Abstract The phylogeny and systematics of fur seals sea lions (Otariidae) have long been studied with diverse data types, including an increasing amount molecular data. However, only a few phylogenetic relationships reached acceptance because strong gene-tree species tree discordance. Divergence times estimates in the group also vary largely between studies. These uncertainties impeded understanding biogeographical history group, such as when how trans-equatorial dispersal subsequent...
Hybridization is widespread and constitutes an important source of genetic variability evolution. In animals, its role in generating novel independent lineages (hybrid speciation) has been strongly debated, with only a few cases supported by genomic data. The South American fur seal (SAfs) Arctocephalus australis marine apex predator Pacific Atlantic waters, disjunct set populations Peru Northern Chile [Peruvian (Pfs)] controversial taxonomic status. We demonstrate, using complete genome...
Abstract Urbanisation is occurring globally, leading to dramatic environmental changes that are altering the ecology and evolution of species. In particular, expansion human infrastructure loss fragmentation natural habitats in cities predicted increase genetic drift reduce gene flow by reducing size connectivity populations. Alternatively, ‘urban facilitation model’ suggests some species will have greater into within higher diversity lower differentiation urban These alternative hypotheses...
Abstract Darwin's finches have been the focus of intense study demonstrating how climatic fluctuations coupled with resource competition drive evolution a variety bill sizes and shapes. The bill, as other peripheral surfaces, also plays an important role in thermoregulation numerous bird species. avian is vascularized, while limbs specialized vasculature that facilitate heat loss or conservation (i.e. they are thermoregulatory windows). Galápagos Islands, home to finches, hot relatively dry...
Abstract Shark fishing, driven by the fin trade, is primary cause of global shark population declines. Here, we present a case study that exemplifies how industrial fisheries are likely depleting populations in Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean. In August 2017, vessel Fu Yuan Yu Leng 999, Chinese flag, was detained while crossing through Galápagos Marine Reserve without authorization. This contained 7639 sharks, representing one largest seizures recorded to date. Based on sample 929 individuals...
Abstract Prior to 2008 and the discovery of several important hawksbill turtle ( Eretmochelys imbricata ) nesting colonies in EP (Eastern Pacific), species was considered virtually absent from region. Research since that time has yielded new insights into hawksbills, salient among them being use mangrove estuaries for nesting. These recent revelations have raised interest genetic characterization hawksbills , studies which remained lacking date. Between 2014, we collected tissue samples 269...
Urbanization is expanding worldwide with major consequences for organisms. Anthropogenic factors can reduce the fitness of animals but may have benefits, such as consistent human food availability. Understanding anthropogenic trade-offs critical in environments variable levels natural availability, Galápagos Islands, an area rapid urbanization. For example, during dry years, reproductive success bird species, Darwin's finches, low because reduced precipitation impacts Urban areas provide...
Abstract The faunas associated with oceanic islands provide exceptional examples which to examine the dispersal abilities of different taxa and test relative contribution selective neutral processes in evolution. We patterns recent differentiation roles gene flow selection genetic morphological variation yellow warbler ( Dendroica petechia aureola ) from Galápagos Cocos Islands. Our analyses suggest diverged Central American lineages colonizing Islands recently, likely less than 300 000...