Our line of research emerges by questioning the causes that generate and maintain biological diversity in environments subject to local and global changes due to natural effects and by human action that catastrophically, whether gradual or sudden, either stochastic processes or programmed by the man, determine the variation of the environment. We question to what extent organisms are adapted to such changes; what are the organisms, their habitats, range of distribution and what are the threatened evolutionary lines, if there is a way to prevent their extinction, if there is any order of interest on the part of man of the different taxa and what is the order of priority of conservation of the different evolutionary lines, the threatened organisms, their habitats and landscapes where they are framed.
We give value to the natural environment in a similar way as artistic and cultural resources could be evaluated, taking into account that it is the common heritage of the entire planet, which has the universal singularity of developing life and not as a mere source of obtaining resources that can be exploited by man. We understand that such exploitation of resources is a basic need of humanity, but we cannot evaluate the natural environment from this economic perspective but by following criteria similar to those used to evaluate any artistic or cultural expression, taking into account the uniqueness of the evolutionary phenomenon.
Lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) populations in the Iberian Peninsula suffered a significant decline in past decades. Currently, two outstanding aspects of its evolutionary biology have called our attention since their knowledge is essential to better understand the current dynamics of its population numbers. On the one hand, its genetic diversity: The genetic variability of individuals in relation to different vital parameters related to biological efficacy, and the population genetic variability in relation to the dispersion, demography and isolation of the colonies. From a more behavioral and population ecology perspective, we have addressed the importance of public information in the dynamics of colony formation, the signals that determine attraction to a given colony, and the evolutionary role that, from the perspective of biological efficacy. dispersal between colonies plays a role. Lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) populations in the Iberian Peninsula suffered a significant decline in past decades. Currently, two outstanding aspects of its evolutionary biology have called our attention since their knowledge is essential to better understand the current dynamics of its population numbers. On the one hand, its genetic diversity: The genetic variability of individuals in relation to different vital parameters related to biological efficacy, and the population genetic variability in relation to the dispersion, demography and isolation of the colonies. From a more behavioral and population ecology perspective, we have addressed the importance of public information in the dynamics of colony formation, the signals that determine attraction to a given colony, and the evolutionary role that, from the perspective of biological efficacy. plays the dispersal between colonies.
Even considering sustainable development as a useful tool that reconciles economic, social and environmental interests, we believe that sustainable development cannot be used as a universal tool on which all conservation actions should be based. This is because in order to achieve compatibility, economic, social and environmental interests should coincide on similar time scales, but this does not frequently occur, making the commitment uncertain if not impossible in the medium and long term. Thus, we propose forms of conservation that are not subject to unstable balances such as those based on strictly economic criteria.
Mioscirtus wagneri is a grasshopper dependent on salty soils influenced by the Suaeda vera plant on which it depends. Along with other Orthopteran species, it is an emblematic species of the very scarce Mediterranean hypersaline environments and we are using it as a study model to understand the evolutionary importance of dispersal and habitat fragmentation from a genetic and population point of view. As in the case of other emblematic species of these environments (eg the silver rattlesnake cricket (Gryllodinus kerkennensis)) its presence is synonymous with not too unfortunate management of the immediate surroundings of these lagoons and the Iberian salt marshes. Mioscirtus wagneri is a grasshopper dependent on salty soils influenced by the Suaeda vera plant on which it depends. Along with other Orthopteran species, it is an emblematic species of the very scarce Mediterranean hypersaline environments and we are using it as a study model to understand the evolutionary importance of dispersal and habitat fragmentation from a genetic and population point of view. As in the case of other emblematic species of these environments (eg the silver rattlesnake cricket (Gryllodinus kerkennensis)) its presence is synonymous with not too unfortunate management of the immediate surroundings of these lagoons and the Iberian salt marshes.
As a framework for our research, we begin with empirical studies that show the advantages that genetic diversity has at different levels of biological organization, eg, individuals, social groups, species, and communities.
Waterlogged ditches in Montes de Toledo, a breeding ground for various species of amphibians, such as the spotted toad (Pelodytes punctatus). This type of temporary and minor aquatic environment is of great importance for the survival of many species on a regional scale. One of our lines of research is focused on better understanding the effects of habitat fragmentation on patterns of diversity and genetic structure in multiple co-distributed species. Flooded ditches in Montes de Toledo, a breeding ground for various amphibian species, such as the toad speckled (Pelodytes punctatus). This type of temporary and minor aquatic environment is of great importance for the survival of many species on a regional scale. One of our lines of research focuses on better understanding the effects of habitat fragmentation on patterns of diversity and genetic structure in multiple co-distributed species.
Any habitat on our planet is subject to continuous and stochastic changes, sometimes catastrophic due to natural phenomena or human intervention. These changes can be dramatic at the population or even species level. Natural selection and other causes contribute to the deterioration of populations and their genetic variability. These changes can be dramatic for many individuals who perish and can be highly stressful for survivors. Thus, environmental changes can cause pernicious effects on natural populations. Furthermore, these changes may have consequences on the distribution, probability of local extinction, and on the phenotypic and genotypic diversity of the surviving populations. Our goal is to reveal those effects and the mechanisms at the organism and population level that allow restoring or maintaining biological variation. For all this, it is essential to document aspects of ecology, distribution and demography and their possible relationship with the maintenance of critical levels of variability and gene flow of natural populations.
By including the former Wild Species Genetics subline in the Group, we incorporated their work. We develop and apply molecular markers to study the genetic structure of wild populations. Population genetics studies how genetic variation is distributed among species, populations, and individuals, considering how the evolutionary forces of mutation, selection, genetic drift, and migration affect the distribution of genetic variation. We study genetic aspects that are applicable to the knowledge and management of wild animals. Such approaches include forensic techniques; phylogenetic studies, populations and establishment of family relationships; identification of individuals and species and characterization of introgression.
The surroundings of the hypersaline lagoons constitute unique environments, a refuge for species of halophilic influence or resistant to salinity. These spaces of high ecological and evolutionary value are of great natural value due to their unique, rare, endemic or endangered species. Due to the isolation and fragmentation of these habitats, some taxonomic groups that inhabit them are ideal models for the study of populations from the point of view of evolutionary biology and their conservation.
The surroundings of the hypersaline lagoons constitute unique environments, a refuge for species of halophilic influence or resistant to salinity. These spaces of high ecological and evolutionary value are of great natural value due to their unique, rare, endemic or endangered species. Due to the isolation and fragmentation of these habitats, some taxonomic groups that inhabit them are ideal models for the study of populations from the point of view of evolutionary biology and their conservation.
Different species of beetles of the genus Curculio, specialist predators of Quercus seeds. They constitute our main working model in studies on ecomorphological adaptations and evolution in parasite-host systems.
