Understanding the historical and ecological processes that have produced the enormous biodiversity of the tropics is a fundamental goal in evolutionary biology and a central aspect of my research. I'm specifically interested in elucidating the spatial and temporal contexts of avifaunal assembly,
and the mechanisms underlying avian speciation and population differentiation in the Neotropical region. The highly-diverse avifauna inhabiting the cloud forests of the Northern Andes (from Bolivia to Venezuela) and adjacent mountain systems (e.g. Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta) is the study subject of my dissertation project. Along those lines, I am also intrigued by the avifaunal interchange between Central and South America, and the phenotypic (e.g. songs, plumage) and genetic differentiation of lowland birds of the Chocó, Urabá, and the Colombian river valleys. My work takes a comparative approach and integrates concepts and tools from molecular biology, population genetics, systematics, natural history and ecology, and museum-based ornithology. I also expect that results from my research contribute to the growing knowledge of avian alpha-diversity in the Neotropics, especially in Colombia, and inform conservation policy and practice.
Evolution of the montane forest avifauna of the Northern Andes
The rich avifauna of the Andes has long been viewed as a collage of lineages of different biogeographic origins, yet only until recently, phylogenetic studies have started to validate this idea. What remains poorly understood, however, is (1) the geographic pattern and chronology of the building of this avifauna, and (2) the mechanisms leading to population differentiation. This gap in our knowledge is largely due to the lack of carefully designed studies that encompass a diverse array of taxa and a comprehensive geographic sampling of the Northern Andes, particularly in Colombia and Venezuela.
I’m taking two approaches to start resolving these fascinating questions. First, a multi-species comparative phylogeography is being assembled from across the region to test different hypotheses relating to the mode and timing of population differentiation and expansion. Second, coalescent-based analyses are used to study the role of barriers and elevation in shaping population differentiation of Andean birds. A multi-locus dataset from transects across main barriers will allow me to test different predictions about the interaction between elevation, climate, geology, bird ecology, and the history of population separation. |
Present
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Glacial max.
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Glacial min.
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Phylogeny, species-limits, biogeography and taxonomy of Neotropical birds
Reconstructing the phylogenetic history of populations, advancing biogeographical hypotheses, and the practice of taxonomy, are fundamental research fields in biodiversity science. I've been involved in different projects that aim at (1) elucidating phylogenetic hypotheses for several lowland and montane species complexes, (2) assessing species limits in taxa with intriguing genetic or cryptic phenotypic structure, 3) documenting avifaunas of poorly known regions, and 4) describing new species. Genetic, morphological, vocal, and statistical analyses are part of my toolbox for these projects. In addition, I’m coordinating the taxonomic checklist committee for the birds of Colombia, a project of the Asociación Colombiana de Ornitología (ACO) in association with SACC. |
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Evolutionary ecology and conservation of tropical montane birds: phenotypic responses to environmental changes
The genotype-environment interaction producing phenotypes, takes place during development and growth. At small spatial and temporal scales, environmental changes have the potential of impacting multiple individuals of many species at once. In theory, the signal of such stressors can be traced in the phenotype of members of an assemblage at any given time. In my undergraduate and masters theses, I investigated rapid phenotypic changes in birds due to habitat fragmentation. Deviations from expected phenotypes were scored as the asymmetry of bilateral traits (developmental instability), morphometric shifts, and reduction in feather growth rates. In the northernmost tip of the Central Andes of Colombia, I found a unique but unplanned “experimental” setting for that investigation, and a fascinating community of montane forest birds. Although much of this work is now done, I'm looking forward to collaborating with students interested in this topic. |
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The essential value of scientific collections for research and society
The so-called "biodiversity crisis" have multiples angles and complexities, many of which relate to the worldwide increasing difficulties set upon collection-based research and natural history museums. This wave is in part moved by uninformed views that have echoed in the public, police-makers, and even academic circles. Indeed, restricted museum research is affecting the advancement of natural sciences and, therefore, is limiting our knowledge about biodiversity with all its practical applications, including conservation. As part of my research, I'm committed to improving education on the value of active natural history museums and the essential importance of continue collecting in tropical countries. This work involves the direct participation of undergraduate students, and the venue includes workshops at national museums, and my own fieldwork sites in South America. |
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