WELCOME to the Systematics, Biogeography & Population Dynamics research group’s web page

The multidisciplinary Research Group of Systematics, Biogeography and Population Dynamics, leaded by Dr. Benjamín Gómez Moliner, is a Consolidated Research Group supported by the Dept. of Education, Universities and Research of the Basque Government, and develops I+D+i activities within the Dpt. of Zoology an Animal Cell Biology (University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU) and at Lucio Laskaray Research Centre. Our scientific goal is to apply molecular tools to get a better understanding of the mechanisms that generate and maintain biodiversity (taxonomy studies, Phylogeny, Evolution), how it is distributed in space (Phylogeography, Population Structure and Dynamics), and how to use this information in the management and conservation of Biodiversity.

We hope you find this web site of interest !

Fields of interest:

Zoology, Malacology, Vertebrates, Conservation genetics; Molecular ecology Molecular Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Systematics, Comparative morphology, Biogeography, Phylogeography, Landscape Genetics, Population dynamics, Non-Invasive genetics, Biodiversity, Management & Conservation.

Research activities:

Our research activities are centred on:

  • Systematics and molecular phylogenetic studies, which together with comparative morphology are used to know the phylogenetic relationships that exist at the species level and higher taxa, as well as to contribute to the knowledge of evolution and speciation processes and to the construction of the Tree of Life.
  • Phylogeographical studies, in order to understand the processes underlying the spatial and temporal dimensions of genetic variation. This allows to know how the current distribution of the different genetic lineages and how the population structure is determined by its evolutionary history.
  • The use of phylogenetic and phylogeographic information to delimitate Evolutionary Significant Units (ESUs) and Management Units (MUs), susceptible of management action plans.
  • Studying the hybridization and introgression processes, both natural and human induced. With this aim in view, we are particularly interested in studying the effect of restocking activities.
  • Inferring functional landscape connectivity through landscape genetic approaches by the combined use of GIS modelling and genetic data in order to understand how landscape and environmental features
    influence population genetic structure.
  • Applying GIS methodologies to develop species distribution analysis and modelling.
  • The development and application of reliable and unambiguous non-invasive genetic methods to distinguish between species, populations and individuals, for population monitoring purposes of elusive species.

In summary, our main scientific interest is focused on the knowledge of (1) the processes involved in the origin and maintenance of Biodiversity, (2) the geographical distribution of the genetic lineages, and (3) the application of this knowledge to the adequate management and conservation of Biodiversity.

Address and Contact:

Systematics, Biogeography and Population Dynamics Research Group 1,2

1) Department of Zoology and Animal Cell Biology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU; C/ Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.

2) Centro de Investigación Lascaray Ikergunea, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Avda. Miguel de Unamuno, 36 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.

Phone: +34 945 013043

E-mail: benjamin.gomez (at) ehu.es

Fax: +34 945 013014

www.systbiogen.com