David James Alexander Edward Harris

My main research interests are in phylogenetic analysis, mostly involving African and European amphibians and reptiles. In particular I have been studying the relationships of Lacertid lizard groups, especially Podarcis. This has grown into a comparative analysis of various taxa found on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar. As well as phylogenetic analysis of herpetofauna I have also worked with a wider range of organisms including crayfish, barnacles, dogwhelks, fruit-flies, limpets and hares. 

My other main line of research is in island biogeography, using reptiles as model organisms. The primary island groups I have studied are the Madeira archipelago, Cape Verde islands, the islands of the Gulf of Guinea, and the Comoros islands. I use phylogenies to determine patterns of colonization, to identify introduced taxa, and to reassess taxonomy of species from these diverse island groups.