Linking molecular evolution to species biology (European Research Council Founded project to N. Galtier)

The goal of this project is to characterize the genomic variation of several animal species to investigate the link between biological features of living organisms and the evolutionary dynamics of their genomes. To do so, distinct vertebrates and invertebrates populations will be sampled and high-throughput sequencing technologies will be used to obtain a large number of genes for each sampled individual.

Development of new methods to reconstruct the 3D form of organisms
It is still currently difficult to gather 3D data for biological studies on organisms sampled in the field. This is mainly due to the cost and the general availability of the equipment and the suitability of the instrumentation for field studies. I am collaborating with H. Rushmeier, B. Wang, A. Caccone, A. van der Meijden and J. Claude to develop, improve and test digital based methods suitable for sampling different size and type of organisms in field conditions. If you are interested in knowing more about this, check out also our collaboration with the Eos System Inc.

                  

Different carapace morphology of Galápagos tortoises
The giant tortoises inhabiting the Galápagos archipelago represent one of only two surviving lineages of once widespread giant tortoises. Although giant Galápagos tortoises can be divided morphologically into domed, saddleback and intermediate populations depending on the form of their shell, the taxa cannot be distinguished with absolute certainty on morphology alone. In collaboration with J. Claude and A. Caccone I am interested in studying the evolution and adaptation of the different shell morphologies within and among populations of the giant Galápagos tortoises. To this purpose, I combine genetic and morphometric data.

                                  

Phylogeography of Sardinian cave salamanders
In collaboration with A. van der Meijden, M. Veith and M. Mucedda, we are carrying out a fine scale sampling to study the phylogeny, phylogeography, and genetic diversity within and among different species of Sardinian cave salamanders. Amphibians are generally considered to be poor dispersers and being characterized by strong site fidelity. Therefore,  high population structure is generally to be expected and current distribution may reflect historical events. In our work, we use molecular biology methods to understand the causes and patterns of diversification within and among these species.

Conservation genetics of Malagasy amphibians and reptiles
In collaboration with A. Meyer (University of Konstanz- Germany), F. Andreone (Museo di Scienze Naturali di Torino- Italy), M. Vences (Zoological Institute- Technical University of Braunscheig- Germany) and D. Vieites (University of Berkeley- USA), I started during my PhD a genetic survey of Malagasy amphibians. My research included constructing robust phylogenies, resolving taxonomic uncertainties, identifying genetic units for conservation, resolving the extent of gene flow among populations and correlating genetic variability and ecology. My work involved the Mantella madagascariensis, M. cowani and M. bernhardi species groups, Mantella expectata and Scaphiophryne gottlebei (all on CITES appendices I or II).
In am also interested in the phylogeography of different Malagasy reptiles. In collaboration with M. Pedrono, D. Vieites and M. Vences I am studying the phylogeography of Malagasy tortoises and I have been working on the montane gecko species Lygodactylus mirabilis.