Javier Lobón-Rovira

I’m an evolutionary biologist interested on the morphological diversification and evolution of Southern African herpetofauna. I focus on the evolutionary pattern shaping nowadays reptile and amphibians diversity, aiming to provide a more informed conservation plans, understanding that species are entities in continuous change in time and space. 

I primarily use geckos as model groups, due to the wide morphological and ecological range explode by this highly diverse group. To this aim I use morphological, ecological, biogeographical, molecular data, together with novel techniques, like CT-scanning and phylogenomics.

My current research activities are focused in Southern African herpetofauna, mainly Angola, aiming to understand the real diversity in this poorly explored and understood part of Africa. This will allow me to better known those regions that act as source of diversification and endemism in the region and consequently, provide the basis to develop more focus conservation plans in this remote corner of Africa.