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Alvaro Sebastián Zúñiga Reinoso

Actual occupation: Postdoc.
Institution: Universidad de Chile
Research on: Systematic and Evolution of insects in Chile


Educational Background:

2011 – 2015. PhD. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Universidad de Chile. Dissertation title: “Diversification of the genus Callyntra (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) during Pleistocene climatic oscillations in Central Chile”. Advisors: Marco Méndez.

2008 – 2013. MSc. in Zoology, Universidad de Concepción. Dissertation title: “Taxonomic and Microevolutionary history of Nycteliaconfusa (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)”. Advisors: Viviane Jerez and Cristián Hernández.

Research Interest: My main research framework is in systematic and evolution, with a phylogenetic approach that can evaluate the macroevolutionary patterns, diversification process and the biogeographic scenario that explain the biodiversity and endemism in Chile. This allows me to propose phylogenetic hypothesis about the systematic group in study. Also, my interest is about the phylogeographic patterns that explain the spatial distribution of the genetic diversity and how the Last Glacial Maximum affects these patterns. The main biological models that I study are the charismatic darkling beetles of the Tribe Nycteliini of Central Chile and Patagonia, but I’m also interested in others insects and organisms. On the other hand, I have been collaborating in other research on biological invasions, biogeography and macroecology with insects and others organisms. Additionally, I like to contribute with the knowledge of the natural history and biodiversity of these little organisms. Finally, I am beginning with a research about conservation of insects in Chile…a real challenge!


Publications:

Boric-Bargetto, D., Zúñiga-Reinoso, A., Cancino,R. A., Gonzalez-Acuña, D., Rodríguez-Serrano, E., Palma, R. E. & Hernández, C. E. 2016. Phylogenetic evaluation of taxonomic definition of didelphid mouse opossum of the Genus Thylamys from valleys of Coquimbo region, Chile. Zootaxa. Aceptado.

Taucare-Ríos, A., Mardones, D. & Zúñiga-Reinoso, A. 2016. Steatoda nobilis (Araneae: Theridiidae) in South America: a new alien species for Chile. Can. Entomol. 0: 1-3.

Zúñiga-Reinoso, A., Jerez,V., Avaria-Llautureo, J. & Hernández, C.E. 2015. Consequences of the Last Glacial Maximum on Nyctelia confusa (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) in Patagonia. Biol. J.Linn. Soc. DOI: 10.1111/bij.12700.

Zúñiga-Reinoso, A. & Cid-Arcos, M. 2015. A new species of Callyntra (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from central Chile. Zootaxa. 4000 (2): 294-298.

Zúñiga-Reinoso, A. & Benítez, H.A. 2015. The overrated use of the morphological cryptic species concept: An example with Nyctelia darkbeetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) using geometric morphometrics. Zool. Anz. 255: 47-53.


Contact e-mail: alzure@gmail.com

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Awards and Associations: Sociedad Chilena de Entomología; Red Chilena Entomológica de la Conservación, Beca CONICYT N°21110367 para estudios de Doctorados Nacionales.

Further information: Travel, native flora and fauna, woodwork, photography, music, gardening and agriculture.