NATURAL HISTORY AND EVOLUTION

Our research centers around the use of molecular phylogenies to elucidate evolutionary patterns, and the processes that produce them, in amphibians. We use the strength of molecular phylogenetics to answer questions that go beyond traditional species phylogenies and also include reconstruction of physiological, transcriptomic or proteomic data. Most of these studies find their roots in ecological observations during field work. We continue working on the biogeographical and macroevolutionary questions and hypotheses that arose by our research of the past decade. These are often related to two areas that we have been focusing on in the past, the Indian subcontinent and the Pantepui area in South America.

Selected publications

Biju, S.D., Senevirathne, G., Garg, S., Mahony, S., Kamei, R.G., Thomas, A., Shouche, Y., Raxworthy, C.J., Meegaskumbura, M. & I. Van  Bocxlaer, 2016 - Frankixalus, a new rhacophorid genus of tree hole breeding frogs with oophagous tadpoles. PLoS ONE, in press.

Martel, A., Blooi, M., Adriaensen, C., Van Rooij, P., Beukema, W., Fisher, M.C., Farrer, R.A., Schmidt, B.R., Tobler, U., Goka, K., Lips, K.R., Muletz, C., Zamudio, K., Bosch, J., Lötters, S., Wombwell, E., Garner, T.W.J.,  Cunningham, A.A., Spitzen-van der Sluijs, A., Salvidio, S., Ducatelle, R., Nishikawa, K., Nguyen, T.T., Kolby, J.E., Van Bocxlaer, I., Bossuyt, F. & F. Pasmans, 2014 - Recent introduction of a chytrid fungus endangers Western Palearctic salamanders.

Science 346: 630 - 631.

About this research:

Willaert, B., Bossuyt, F., Janssenswillen, S., Adriaens, D., Baggerman, G., Matthijs, S., Pauwels, E., Proost, P., Raepsaet, A., Schoofs, L., Stegen, G., Treer, D., Van Hoorebeke, L., Vandebergh, W. & I. Van Bocxlaer, 2013 - Frog nuptial pads secrete mating season-specific proteins related to salamander pheromones.

The Journal of Experimental Biology 216, 4139-4143 - pdf

Roelants, K., Haas, A., & F. Bossuyt, 2011 - Anuran radiations and the evolution of tadpole morphospace.

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 108 (21): 8527-8916.

Kok, P. J. R. , MacCulloch, R. D., Means, D. B., Roelants, K., Van Bocxlaer, I. & F. Bossuyt, 2012 - Low genetic diversity in tepui summit vertebrates.

Current Biology, 22 (15): R589-590. - pdf

About this research:  

Van Bocxlaer, I., Loader, S.P., Roelants, K., Biju, S.D., Menegon, M. & F. Bossuyt, 2010. Gradual adaptation toward a range-expansion phenotype initiated the global radiation of toads.

Science 327, 679-682.

About this research: