Bruno Simoes

Dr. Bruno F. Simões

Bio: I hold a PhD in evolution biology from University College Dublin (Ireland) where I studied bat visual evolution, followed by a Postdoctoral position at the Natural History Museum, London where I studied snake visual evolution. I’m currently a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Global Research Fellow with a joint position at both the University of Bristol and the University of Adelaide (Australia). I mostly use comparative genomics associated with other methods such as immunohistochemistry, optics and microspectrophotometry to understand how vision evolved in lizards and snakes.

Sensory Bottlenecks and Blind Alleys: Shedding Light on Reptile Sight

Abstract: Much of the considerable knowledge of vertebrate vision and its evolution comes from detailed studies of mammals, birds and fish with comparatively few investigations of reptiles. In particular, until recently, there have been very few molecular genetic studies of vision in lizards and snakes (squamates). This is surprising considering that this is one of the most species rich and ecologically diverse groups of vertebrates. Additionally, the diversity of squamate retinal photoreceptors was summarized by visual anatomist Gordon Walls as indicating greater evolutionary change than among all other vertebrates together. In addition, the evolution of squamate vision has played a part in debates about the origin and early evolution of squamate lineages, especially in snakes. In this seminar I will present the results of new genomic data, ocular media transmittance and visual pigment microspectrophotometry in diverse squamate lineages (but mostly in snakes) in order to provide a fresh perspective on squamate vision biology and evolution. The high variability in vision genes associated with changes in eye structure and optic properties suggest snakes are one of the most interesting cases of visual evolution among land vertebrates. Finally, I will discuss how, following visual degeneration from photic bottlenecks, geckos and snakes re-developed vision associated with the expansion of their ecological niche.