A5069356360- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Plant and animal studies
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Animal Diversity and Health Studies
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Scarabaeidae Beetle Taxonomy and Biogeography
- Bryophyte Studies and Records
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Marine and coastal plant biology
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
2022-2024
Institut de Biologia Evolutiva
2019-2024
Universitat Pompeu Fabra
2019-2024
Ecologie & Evolution
2023
Faculty (United Kingdom)
2023
Abstract Aim Deserts are generally perceived as areas of low diversity, and hence receive little attention from researchers conservationists. Squamates the dominant group vertebrates in arid regions, such represent an ideal model to study biodiversity patterns these areas. We examine spatial evolutionary history endemism terrestrial squamates Arabian Peninsula test hypotheses on role topography isolation so identify possible environmental drivers diversification. Location The Peninsula....
Abstract The geographic distribution of biodiversity is central to understanding evolutionary biology. Paleogeographic and paleoclimatic histories often help explain how biogeographic patterns unfold through time. However, such are also influenced by a variety other factors, as lineage diversification, that may affect the probability certain types events. complex well-known geologic climatic history Afro-Arabia, together with extensive research on reptile systematics in region, makes...
In endangered species, low-genetic variation and inbreeding result from recent population declines. Genetic screenings in populations help to assess their vulnerability extinction create informed management actions toward conservation efforts. The leopard, Panthera pardus, is a highly generalist predator with currently eight different subspecies. Yet, genomic data are still lacking for the Critically Endangered Arabian leopard (P. p. nimr). Here, we sequenced whole genome of two leopards...
The desert vipers of the genus Cerastes are a small clade medically important venomous snakes within family Viperidae. According to published morphological and molecular studies, group is comprised by four species: two morphologically similar phylogenetically sister taxa, African horned viper (Cerastes cerastes) Arabian gasperettii); more distantly related species, Saharan sand vipera), enigmatic Böhme's boehmei), only known from single specimen in captivity allegedly captured Central...
Abstract Aim Biodiversity is not uniformly distributed across the Earth’s surface, even among physiographically comparable biomes in different biogeographic regions. For lizards, world’s large desert regions are characterized by extreme heterogeneity species richness, spanning some of most species‐rich (arid Australia) and species‐poor (central Asia) overall. Regional differences diversity may arise as a consequence interplay several factors (e.g., evolutionary time, diversification rate,...
The Montseny brook newt (
In the present study we use an unprecedented database of 5,535 distributional records to infer diversity, ecological preferences and spatial distribution 60 species terrestrial reptiles United Arab Emirates (UAE), 57 native test effectiveness protected areas' network in conserving this unique vertebrate fauna. We a time-calibrated phylogeny with 146 squamates 15 genes including all UAE reptile determine phylogenetic diversity (PD) evolutionary distinctiveness (ED) compare it hotspots...
Abstract Advances in genomics have greatly enhanced our understanding of mountain biodiversity, providing new insights into the complex and dynamic mechanisms that drive formation biotas. These include from broad biogeographic patterns, to population dynamics adaptations these environments. However, significant challenges remain integrating large-scale fine-scale findings develop a comprehensive biodiversity. One challenge is lack genomic data, particularly historically understudied arid...
Abstract Species living in distinct habitats often experience unique ecological selective pressures, which can drive phenotypic divergence. However, how ecophenotypic patterns are affected by allometric trends and trait integration levels is less well understood. Here we evaluate the role of allometry shaping body size form diversity Pristurus geckos utilizing differing habitats. We found that were species with different habitat preferences, ground-dwelling displaying most divergent trend...
Abstract Advances in genomics have greatly enhanced our understanding of mountain biodiversity, providing new insights into the complex and dynamic mechanisms that drive formation biotas. These span from broad biogeographic patterns to population dynamics adaptations these environments. However, significant challenges remain integrating large-scale fine-scale findings develop a comprehensive biodiversity. One challenge is lack genomic data, especially historically understudied arid regions...
Almost 20% of Oman's terrestrial reptiles are found on Masirah Island. Despite its ancient geological history and long isolation, Island only harbours one endemic reptile species, Hemidactylus masirahensis. In this study, we use an integrative approach to explore the variation in Pristurus minimus, revise systematics assess phylogeography by using molecular (mitochondrial nuclear DNA sequences) morphological data. Our results uncovered a deep divergence within P. minimus that dates back ∼4...
Island colonists are often assumed to experience higher levels of phenotypic diversification than continental taxa. However, empirical evidence has uncovered exceptions this ‘island effect’. Here, we tested pattern using the geckos genus Pristurus from Arabia and Africa Socotra Archipelago. Using a recently published phylogeny an extensive morphological dataset, explore differences in evolution between Socotran Moreover, reconstructed ancestral habitat occupancy examine if ecological...
Abstract Low genetic variation and high levels of inbreeding are usually a consequence recent population declines in endangered species. From conservation point view, it is essential to genetically screen populations help assess their vulnerability extinction properly create informed management actions towards efforts. The leopard, Panthera pardus , highly generalist predator with currently eight different subspecies inhabiting wide range habitats. Yet, genomic data still lacking for the...
An important part of the ecological evolution many lineages consists adaptations to new diets as climate and available resources changed. In this study, we inferred when squirrels adapted morphologically by analyzing data from both extant extinct species. We relied on relationship between tooth morphology in their dietary preferences infer To achieve this, employed two approaches, namely geometric morphometrics Elliptic Fourier analyses, measure outline fourth lower premolar (p4) occlusal...
ABSTRACT Island colonists are often assumed to experience higher levels of phenotypic diversification than continental taxa. However, empirical evidence has uncovered exceptions this “island effect”. Here, we tested pattern using the geckos genus Pristurus from Arabia and Africa Socotra Archipelago. Using a recently published phylogeny an extensive morphological dataset, explore differences in evolution between Socotran Moreover, reconstructed ancestral habitat occupancy examine if...
Abstract Species living in distinct habitats often experience unique ecological selective pressures, which can drive phenotypic divergence. However, how ecophenotypic patterns are affected by allometric trends and trait integration levels is less well understood. Here we evaluate the role of allometry shaping body size shape diversity Pristurus geckos utilizing differing habitats. We found that were species with different habitat preferences, ground-dwelling displaying most divergent trend...
Abstract With the advent of molecular phylogenetics, number taxonomic studies unveiling and describing cryptic diversity has greatly increased. However, speciation between lineages is often defined without evaluating population structure or gene flow, which can lead to false claims species status and, subsequently, inflation. In present study we focus on intriguing case Arabian gecko Trachydactylus hajarensis (Squamata: Gekkonidae), a for been previously reported. We generated mitochondrial...
ABSTRACT The geographic distribution of biodiversity is central to understanding evolutionary biology. Paleogeographic and paleoclimatic histories often help explain how biogeographic patterns unfold through time. However, such are also influenced by a variety other factors, as lineage diversification, that may affect the probability certain types events. complex well-known geologic climatic history Afro-Arabia, together with extensive research on reptile systematics in region, makes...
ABSTRACT Aim Biodiversity is not uniformly distributed across the Earth’s surface, even among physiographically comparable biomes in different biogeographic regions. For lizards, world’s large desert regions are characterized by extreme heterogeneity species richness, spanning some of most species-rich (arid Australia) and species-poor (central Asia) overall. Regional differences diversity may arise as a consequence interplay several factors (e.g., evolutionary time, diversification rate,...
Abstract The desert vipers of the genus Cerastes are a small clade medically important venomous snakes within family Viperidae. According to published morphological and molecular studies, group is comprised by four species: two morphologically similar phylogenetically sister taxa, African horned viper ( cerastes ) Arabian gasperettii ); more distantly related species, Saharan sand vipera ), enigmatic Böhme’s boehmei only known from single specimen in captivity allegedly captured Central...
Abstract Biodiversity is distributed unevenly among lineages and regions, understanding the processes generating these global patterns a central goal in evolutionary research, particularly light of current biodiversity crisis. Here, we integrate phylogenetic relatedness with species diversity four major clades living tetrapods (amphibians, squamates, birds mammals) to approach this challenge. We studied geographic richness-corrected (residual PD), identifying regions where are...