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Speciation mechanisms Speciation in fucoid algae from Scandinavia I am currently investigating the speciation mechanisms in fucoid algae from the Baltic and North Seas. This group provides an extraordinary system to investigate postglacial colonization and ecological differentiation under extreme environmental conditions. I am mainly interested in population genetics and demographic reconstruction of brown algae, particularly of the Fucus vesiculosus – F. radicans complex from the Scandinavian coasts, to determine the geographical origin and mechanisms responsible for the ecologically divergent taxa.
Contact person: Ricardo Pereyra
Speciation in cichlid fishes of Lake Malawi, Africa During my past research I used the species flocks of cichlid fishes inhabiting the East African Great Lakes as model taxa. These are also excellent systems in which to investigate speciation processes because of their remarkably rapid and specious radiations. I carried out comparative analyses of traits within and between group lineages believed to be influencing the species richness of cichlid radiations in order to elucidate the different mechanisms of speciation. Contact person: Ricardo Pereyra
The effects of Baltic-North Sea salinity transition on natural populations It has been suggested that ecologically marginal environments harbour populations that experience extreme selection regimes and quite often these environments are also geographically marginal. The Baltic Sea, for example, is an extreme environment, geographically peripheral and ecologically marginal with low winter temperatures and permanently low salinities ranging from 1-2psu to 25psu. Populations inhabiting this area are therefore expected to experience life history changes that may influence their genetic set up. I am mainly interested in the incidence of asexual reproduction in the Fucus vesiculosus – F. radicans complex across environmental gradients, particularly salinity conditions in the Scandinavian coasts. Contact person: Ricardo Pereyra
Stock delineation and population structure in conservation of marine species
Advances in biotechnology have generated new techniques that can be applied to long-standing problems in fisheries. I am interested in using these innovative techniques and developing molecular tools to examine the long-term genetic integrity of species and to assess the stock structure of the marine resources. Another critical question I am interested in is the identification of the origins and unique genetic entities in marine species. This information is vital in assessing the ranges and make-up of management units for their effective conservation.
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