 My main interest focuses on the analysis of evolutionary processes and population genetic studies with different native and introduced taxa, including Drosophila as a model organism as well as with marine invertebrates and vertebrates, non-model yet ecologically very interesting species.
We have analysed genetic connectivity among populations using different molecular markers and revealed the role of marine currents modifying gene flow in space and time. Given the increase in trade and invasive species worldwide, I’ve also focused on the genetic analysis of these species, whether marine or terrestrial, both in the ancestral and introduced area to examine patterns of genetic diversity within and between populations and explore alternative colonization scenarios.
Adaptation is a key issue on a changing environment and I’m interested in identifying genes under selection and how they vary along a wide geographic gradient. In laboratory and seminatural replicated studies, we have shown that most changes occur within the first generations, indicating that both selection and drift act shaping the genetic makeup of populations.
In the last years I’m interested in high throughput sequencing techniques that we have applied in our work with non-model species to improve the knowledge of adaptation and dispersal.
|
