ONGOING RESEARCH PROJECTS

Spiders Systematics and Evolution 
Molecular systematics and evolution of orb-weavers. Evolution of complex behavioral and morphological traits.

Monographic research of poorly known spider groups:
- Revision of the linyphiid genera Ophrynia and Callitrichia
- Revision of the mysmenid genera Maymena and Trogloneta






Macroecology
What are the underlying factors that govern the spatial patterns of biodiversity? Despite decades of intensive research this major question remains unanswered. I combine species evolutionary histories with contemporary distributional data and information on historical distributions, in addition to data sets on historic and contemporary climate and other environmental factors, in attempt to elucidate some of the primary mechanisms underlying the distribution of life on Earth.
Major areas of interest for my research are the mountainous regions of the world and particularly the Eastern Arc Mountains in Kenya and Tanzania. The Eastern Arc Mountains form part of the eastern Afromontane region and are recognized as one of the 24 globally important hot spots.

For more information about this and other research projects visit the web of the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate.

To read more about the Eastern Arc Mountains visit Valuing the Arc and Eastern Arc Mountains web sites.

Climate Change
Changes in the environment are one of the major drivers for speciation and species extinctions. Climatic variations are the main cause for such environmental changes. A better understanding of the mechanisms through which environmental changes affect organisms is essential if we want to protect and preserve the biosphere. By studying how variations of climate in the past have affected species diversity and distributions I try to access the possible scenarios for the future.
My current research aims to understand how Pleistocene ice-ages and the more recent habitat alteration due to human impact along the Pacific North West have affected the spider communities in that area.




Cybertaxonomy
The use of relational databases to store wide array of standardized taxonomic and phylogenetic data has an unlimited potential to change the way we do taxonomy. It will bring revolutionary improvements to taxonomic data exchange, data publication and dissemination of results through the internet.
I am currently actively involved in the development of software tools to aid spider taxonomists and communicate scientific findings to a wider audience.