I am a Postdoctoral fellow at the Field Museum of Natural History, studying evolution and systematics of the East African bats in collaboration with Dr. Bruce Patterson.
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH
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PhD. RESEARCH
During my PhD. I studied the evolution of the cranial covariance structure (patterns and magnitudes of integration) during the diversification of the New World leaf-nosed bats, and its association with feeding specializations and roosting ecology. Additionally, I used comparative quantitative genetics approaches to elucidate the processes underlying the cranial evolution in phyllostomids. Finally, I quantified the strength of selection and explored its association with dietary transitions and specialization along the phyllostomid phylogeny.
Integrative approach for species identification and delimitation
In this this project I am integrating linear and geometric morphometric analysis, together with genetic and acoustic data to review the taxonomy of cryptic species in Kenya. Collaborators: Bruce Patterson, Terry Demos, Stefania Briones, Paul Webala, Amy Tian and Alexandra Weber.
Morphological Integration and Modularity
I am interested in understanding how the patterns of integration and modularity affect the trajectory and the rate of phenotypic evolution over time. For this, since my PhD., I have been using the theoretical framework of quantitative genetics, phylogenetic comparative methods and empirical data from a remarkably diverse group of mammals, The New World leaf-nosed bats. Currently, I am extending this investigation to the Old World Bat Families. This project focuses on the importance of considering a multidimensional phenotype and the within-species variation and covariation for understanding trait dynamics in populations, in terms of evolvability (i.e., the ability of a biological system to respond to selection) and evolutionary constraints. Collaborators: Bruce Patterson, James Cheverud, Graham Slater and Gabriel Marroig.
Postcranial Evolution: Does specializations lead to modularity in bats?
In this project I am using microCT imaging to investigate whether limb specializations, associated with feeding and roosting strategies, favors the reduction of covariation between limbs or homologous elements. Collaborators: James Cheverud and Bruce Patterson. The Micro CT Scanner is located at the Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago.