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My research interests focus on phenotypic evolution, and I am particularly intrigued about the diversification of mammalian limbs. Limb diversity in mammals is often associated with the most diverse microhabitats occupied by this group, and the limb evolution itself is frequently employed as a significant factor explaining the mammalian radiation success. My Doctorate project commits in understanding if morphological divergence of the limbs, as well as microhabitat occupation and modes of locomotion, explain the diversification net pattern of Mammalia. I am approaching a macroevolutionary and macroecological framework covering most Mammalia families and expect to identify ecological features that are associated with phenotypic divergence, as well as to corroborate the hypothesis that lineages having more evolvable limb structures also experienced faster diversification.

Publications