Linking phenotypes to decipher Mediterranean biodiversity

Títol: Linking phenotypes to diversification dynamics to decipher the temporal and spatial scaling of biodiversity in the Mediterranean basin

Linking macroevolutionary diversity patterns to the microevolutionary processes that shape them is a long-standing endeavour for evolutionary biologists, and it can be key for deciphering the ecological dynamics that shape biodiversity patterns. The PhenEvol research group of CIBIO/InBIO implements a multidisciplinary approach to seek the evolutionary drivers that shape biodiversity hotspots, focusing on the Mediterranean Basin as a model system. Across model groups of reptiles that have diversified in this region, we combine lineage diversification analyses and phylogenetic comparative methods of phenotypic diversity to infer the historical and ecological processes that drive the amazing diversity of Mediterranean ecosystems, and evaluate the relevance of its turbulent climatic history and its structural complexity in determining phenotypic evolution. In this talk, I will use examples from several Mediterranean reptile taxa to illustrate how this approach can give insights into how historical biogeography, habitat use, and climatic niche have contributed to the amazing variety of organism forms and colours that make up our own biodiversity hotspot.

Ponent: Antigoni Kaliontzopoulou, investigadora del CIBIO/inBIO, Xarxa de Recerca en Biodiversitat i Biologia Evolutiva de la Universitat de Porto.

Idioma vehicular: anglès.

Lloc: sala d’actes del Castell dels Tres Dragons (Laboratori de Natura, pg. Picasso, s/n)

Imatge de Nature-Pix.

Dins el programa de Seminaris de Biodiversitat, SEMBIO. Debat i intercanvi d’experiències essencialment sobre sistemàtica, zoologia, evolució animal i filogènia molecular. Aquestes xerrades estan organitzades pel Grup de Recerca Consolidat ZooSysEvo format per científics de la Facultat de Biologia (UB) i del Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona. L’objectiu és difondre els continguts de la recerca d’investigadors del grup o d’algun investigador convidat.