Reseach
Comparative Morphology
Comparative Morphology
Comparative morphology has played a critical role in the development of evolutionary thought, especially the notions of common ancestry and homology. Research in this area involves the study of anatomical systems in multiple taxa to understand their evolutionary changes through time.
Comparative morphology has played a critical role in the development of evolutionary thought, especially the notions of common ancestry and homology. Research in this area involves the study of anatomical systems in multiple taxa to understand their evolutionary changes through time.
We combine traditional techniques with state-of-the-art innovations (e.g., X-ray micro-computed tomography) to conduct comparative anatomical studies. Our projects seek to understand the evolution of various morphological complexes in different fish lineages and the implications of these discoveries for the phylogeny of the organisms studied. The skeletal, muscular, and neurological systems are the most commonly studied in our research projects.
We combine traditional techniques with state-of-the-art innovations (e.g., X-ray micro-computed tomography) to conduct comparative anatomical studies. Our projects seek to understand the evolution of various morphological complexes in different fish lineages and the implications of these discoveries for the phylogeny of the organisms studied. The skeletal, muscular, and neurological systems are the most commonly studied in our research projects.
Phylogenetic Systematics
Phylogenetic Systematics
This branch of science, also known as cladistics, consists of the study of the evolutionary relationships among organisms through the analysis of phenotypic (e.g., anatomy, behavior) or molecular (e.g., DNA, protein sequences) data. The evolutionary relationships among the taxa studied are usually represented in a phylogenetic tree.
This branch of science, also known as cladistics, consists of the study of the evolutionary relationships among organisms through the analysis of phenotypic (e.g., anatomy, behavior) or molecular (e.g., DNA, protein sequences) data. The evolutionary relationships among the taxa studied are usually represented in a phylogenetic tree.
Our group has a tradition of using morphological data for cladistic analyses. However, many of our recent projects have used genetic data for the same purpose, often in combination with modern analytical approaches to anatomical data. The resulting cladistic hypotheses underlie the proposal of new classifications of fishes, and many of our phylogenetic studies are coupled with taxonomic revisions. Most of our phylogenetic studies focus on the interrelationships of ostariophysan and percomorph fishes. These two lineages represent the major evolutionary radiations of bony fishes in freshwater and marine environments, respectively.
Our group has a tradition of using morphological data for cladistic analyses. However, many of our recent projects have used genetic data for the same purpose, often in combination with modern analytical approaches to anatomical data. The resulting cladistic hypotheses underlie the proposal of new classifications of fishes, and many of our phylogenetic studies are coupled with taxonomic revisions. Most of our phylogenetic studies focus on the interrelationships of ostariophysan and percomorph fishes. These two lineages represent the major evolutionary radiations of bony fishes in freshwater and marine environments, respectively.
Taxonomy & Biodiversity
Taxonomy & Biodiversity
Taxonomic studies attempt to clarify the identity and classification of organisms. Such studies often involve the description of new species or higher taxa. Taxonomic knowledge is essential for the production of basic studies of our biodiversity, such as ichthyofaunal inventories and identification catalogs.
Taxonomic studies attempt to clarify the identity and classification of organisms. Such studies often involve the description of new species or higher taxa. Taxonomic knowledge is essential for the production of basic studies of our biodiversity, such as ichthyofaunal inventories and identification catalogs.
Brazil concentrates the greatest diversity of continental fishes in the world, and most of the taxonomic and biodiversity studies conducted by our research team involve freshwater fishes from the Neotropics (tropical region of the Americas). These include catfishes (Siluriformes), piranhas and their relatives (Characiformes), and Neotropical electric fishes (Gymnotiformes). The Amazon is one of the most important biodiversity hotspots on the planet, and many of the new species we describe inhabit this region. We regularly organize field expeditions to explore the ichthyofauna of under-explored rivers in the Amazon basin.
Brazil concentrates the greatest diversity of continental fishes in the world, and most of the taxonomic and biodiversity studies conducted by our research team involve freshwater fishes from the Neotropics (tropical region of the Americas). These include catfishes (Siluriformes), piranhas and their relatives (Characiformes), and Neotropical electric fishes (Gymnotiformes). The Amazon is one of the most important biodiversity hotspots on the planet, and many of the new species we describe inhabit this region. We regularly organize field expeditions to explore the ichthyofauna of under-explored rivers in the Amazon basin.
Other fields
Other fields
Ontogeny
Ontogeny
Geometric Morphometrics
Geometric Morphometrics