I study evolutionary biology and systematics of short-range endemic arthropods, my research combines fieldwork, museum collection data, morphology and phylogenomics to address specific questions about speciation, species delineation, morphological evolution, and biodiversity. Much of my research also emphasizes conservation biology, taxonomy and bioinformatics! I am extremely passionate about evolution and exploration of caves.
Research Highlights
Broken Ring Speciation in California Mygalomorphs
Ring species is a model of evolution which exemplifies speciation with continuous gene flow, a classic ring species example are the salamanders of the genus Ensatina, here we explore this model using False tarantula spiders.
Phylogenomics of Cybaeid spiders
The family Cybaeidae part of the ‘Marranoid’ spiders, is an interesting family thata have recently been in focus of taxonomic studies, here we focus on increasing sampling of the family by covering all genera in North America, we gather UCE data to provide a more robust phylogeny and relationships within the family, presenting new synapomorphies for most of the species groups.
Comparative Population Genomic Diversity and Differentiation in Trapdoor Spiders and Relatives
Mygalomorphs have a very particular burrowing behavior, with variable entrances and silk structures like trapdoors and turrets. Here we explored if this burrowing behavior, along with body and range size is correlated with genetic diversity and differentiation.