Research

Causes and consequences of species diversity in freshwater ecosystems

We’re interested in understanding what regulates species distribution, composition, and diversity of freshwater metacommunities at multiple spatial scales. Diogo has worked in a variety of environments using tadpoles and aquatic invertebrates as model organisms.

Broad subjects include how biodiversity affects the functioning of multi-trophic freshwater ecosystems, how spatial distribution of organisms is affected by environmental gradients, and macroecological patterns of species richness. We often study not only taxonomic, but also functional and phylogenetic aspects of communities.

Representative work:

Eco-evolutionary dynamics in metacommunity ecology

Ecological communities are shaped by a variety of processes that operate at distinct temporal scales. There is now compelling evidence that evolution by natural selection can happen in a relatively short time. These eco-evolutionary feedbacks could potentially change species interaction and further influence evolutionary trajectories.

  • Provete 2013. Natureza & Conservação.

Phenotypic evolution and diversification of Neotropical species

Biological diversity is expressed in various ways. One of these is how species differ from each other. Species’ traits may have themselves complex evolutionary histories, and in turn can influence species distribution, interspecific interactions, speciation rates, and coexistence.

We’re interested in unveiling the patterns of phenotypic evolution in Neotropical organisms using the toolbox of modern comparative methods. Since species traits can influence diversification patterns, we often integrate analytical tools and macroevolutionary theory to understand species distribution at broad spatial scales.

  • Faria et al. 2017. PLoS One.
  • Franco-Belussi et al. 2017. Ecology & Evolution.
  • Leite et al. 2015. Zoologischer Anzeiger.
  • Provete et al. 2012. Zoologica Scripta.

Evolutionary morphology of Neotropical anuran larvae

The morphological diversity of tadpoles is astonishing. The role of tadpoles in freshwater ecosystems has been challenged by recent studies using stable isotopes (Schiesari et al. 2009 Freshwater Biology; Altig et al. 2007 Freshwater Biology). Both the internal and external morphology of tadpoles influence habitat use, food acquisition, diet composition, and several other ecological aspects — including their role in ecosystem functioning.

Studying the morphology of tadpoles in an evolutionary context can therefore help us understand community patterns and freshwater ecosystem functioning.