Evolutionary and Systematic Zoology Lab

The Laboratory of Evolutionary and Systematic Zoology (ESZ_Lab) represents one of the longest-standing research group within the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Siena. Its origins trace back to studies conducted in the 1990s on insect taxonomy and applied agricultural entomology.

The laboratory is committed to advancing scientific knowledge and dissemination in the field of invertebrate evolution and related disciplines. It plays a leading role in applying molecular markers to address key biological challenges, including species invasions, phylogeography, colonization dynamics, ecological genetics, and phylogenetics.

Summary of research topics:

• With over twenty years of experience in investigating the evolution of arthropod mitochondrial DNA, ESZ_Lab has recently secured EU research funding to study the genomics and gene expression profiles of the invasive pest insect Popillia japonica and a PNRR fund within the frame of the National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC).
• ESZ_Lab is particularly interested in the evolution of Collembola and the early radiation of hexapods. It has contributed to multiple Italian Antarctic Research Project expeditions, focusing on the biogeography of Antarctic springtails. Additionally, the laboratory is involved in mosquito monitoring programs in Tuscany.
• The research group investigates the evolution of predatory and parasitoid insects, focusing on Neuroptera and Diptera. Using a multidisciplinary approach, it explores their diversity, evolutionary history, and ecological role in natural and managed ecosystems. These insects also serve as biological indicators across diverse habitats, from glacial areas to agricultural landscapes like olive groves and vineyards, using both morphological and molecular methods.
• Another key research area focuses on soil arthropod communities in natural and disturbed habitats to assess the relationship between anthropogenic impacts and environmental quality. This includes the ultrastructural analysis of heavy metal compartmentalization and elimination mechanisms in soil fauna using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray microanalysis.
• The lab is also engaged in the MitoMicro project, which investigates small, highly transcribed RNAs produced by mitochondrial genomes and their role in regulating nuclear transcripts in animal species.
• Further studies include the systematics and ecology of Darwin’s wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), particularly the composition of parasitoid communities in fragmented landscapes and anthropogenic environments such as vineyards and olive groves.
• A recent research direction investigates the functional and ecological roles of insect-microbe interactions, particularly in extreme environments. The lab explores how microbial symbionts influence host adaptation, evolution, and survival under harsh conditions, with potential applications in biotechnology and environmental sustainability.