My main research interest is the study of molecular evolution in
different Arthropoda with special regard to the study of the
evolution of repetitive DNA: tandem repeats (satellite DNA,
ribosomal DNA) and interspersed repeats (transposable elements).
Since the evolutionary dynamics of these sequence, and then the
correct interpretation of mechanisms underlying their evolution, is
strictly linked to the taxonomy and the biology of analyzed animal
systems I also investigated the phylogeny, phylogeography,
molecular systematics and the reproductive biology of several
insect and crustacean species.
The main research lines, therefore, are:
- Molecular phylogentics,
systematics and reproductive biology of Insecta, particularly
Isoptera: Kalotermitidae and Rhinotermitidae; Crustacea,
Branchiopoda: Choncostraca and Notostraca.
- Evolutionary dynamics of
repetitive DNA (mainly satellite DNA and retrotransposons) in the
genome of arthropods with non-canonical reproductive strategies
(parthenogenesis; ermaphroditism) or non-panmictic
(eusociality).
