Research lines of the Arthropods systematics and evolution team are centered around two main topics: 1) the “traditional” study of systematics and morphology of species that live in protected areas; 2) the analysis of the phylogenetic and phylogeographic relationships of soil taxa, with specific interest to basal hexapods, and oribatid mites. Screening of biodiversity, in protected areas, is performed collecting soil invertebrates that are subsequently classified using ad hoc taxonomic keys. Phylogenetic and population genetics surveys are applied comparing some molecular markers (up to complete mtDNA genomes) obtained from the specimens under study, and providing a description of the relationships among taxa, according to their molecular affinities.
- Molecular phylogeny of basal hexapods
- Phylogeographic study of Antarctic Springtails
- Invertebrate Systematics and biodiversity of protected areas
- Taxonomy and Reproduction of Springtails
Francesco Frati - Full Professor
Pietro Paolo Fanciulli - Associate Professor
Antonio Carapelli - Associate Professor
Massimo Migliorini - Research Technician
Giacomo Spinsanti - Research Technician
Chiara Leo - PhD Student