Jalapão dunes, Tocantins, northern Brazil
One of my research interests is the anuran taxonomy and systematics, especially leptodactylids. I am interested in documenting biodiversity in the Neotropics by revealing underestimated species richness, cryptic diversity hidden in species complexes, and revisiting poorly defined taxonomic entities in this taxon through an integrative framework.
Preliminary results under different lines of evidence have already led me to name 21 new species within Leptodactylidae in the last nine years, and many other species are in the course of being formally described. Breaking down into the genus level, new species are represented by 14 Adenomera species, 7 Leptodactylus species, 4 Pseudopaludicola species, and 1 Paratelmatobius species.
In my research program, I am also focused on the detailed characterization of acoustic mating signals and the laryngeal anatomy of leptodactylid frogs. I aim to assess the extent of association between changes in the acoustic structure accompanied by the acquisition or loss of certain elements of the larynx. As a long-term research interest, I intend to look at the anuran acoustic system from other angles, such as the study of peripheral mechanisms (biomechanics) and the neural basis (neurophysiology) involved in vocal sound production in anurans.
Preliminary results under different lines of evidence have already led me to name 21 new species within Leptodactylidae in the last nine years, and many other species are in the course of being formally described. Breaking down into the genus level, new species are represented by 14 Adenomera species, 7 Leptodactylus species, 4 Pseudopaludicola species, and 1 Paratelmatobius species.
In my research program, I am also focused on the detailed characterization of acoustic mating signals and the laryngeal anatomy of leptodactylid frogs. I aim to assess the extent of association between changes in the acoustic structure accompanied by the acquisition or loss of certain elements of the larynx. As a long-term research interest, I intend to look at the anuran acoustic system from other angles, such as the study of peripheral mechanisms (biomechanics) and the neural basis (neurophysiology) involved in vocal sound production in anurans.
Ongoing research
Coping with high levels of cryptic diversity in the Neotropics:
Adenomera (Anura, Leptodactylinae) as model organisms
Adenomera (Anura, Leptodactylinae) as model organisms
Adenomera andreae from the type locality region in Eastern Brazilian Amazonia.
Cryptic diversification of Leptodactylus frogs endemic to the Brazilian campo rupestre
Leptodactylus cunicularius, a species endemic to mountaintop ecosystem of campo rupestre. This specimen was recorded in the Canastra Plateau (southeastern Brazil).
Systematics of Neotropical frogs of the Leptodactylus melanonotus group
Leptodactylus petersii from the type locality region in the upper Negro River (São Gabriel da Cachoeira, AM, Brazil).
Species diversity of Neotropical thin-toed frogs (Leptodactylus)
Leptodactylus mystaceus complex: similar/cryptic morphology linked to diverse acoustic patterns
Evolution of acoustic mating signals in the Neotropical frog genus Adenomera
Distinct vocalizations in the morphologically cryptic and sister species Adenomera martinezi and A. saci.
Diversity of vocalizations and vocal morphology in Leptodactylidae: a phylogenetic comparative investigation of the acoustic system in a Neotropical anuran clade
Representative taxa of Leptodactylidae: Pleurodema and Physalaemus (Leiuperinae); Leptodactylus, Lithodytes, and Adenomera (Leptodactylinae); Scythrophrys (Paratelmatobiinae).