Project Coordinator:
Dr. Enrico Lunghi, Ph.D.
My researches are focused on different aspects related to the zoology, ecology, evolution and conservation of multiple organisms (vertebrates and invertebrates) that live in both surface and subterranean environments, with special emphasis on the European cave salamanders (genus Speleomantes), the only plethodontid salamanders present in Europe. Because of these little humid beauties, I approached the caves and started to be passionate about everything living below the ground.
My studies encompass multiple aspects of the species biology and life traits, including the morphology, the trophic niche, behaviour and reproduction. I find very interesting the evolution of adaptive traits that species evolved in response to the local ecological features. One of my goals is to develop and adopt new survey techniques that minimize the impact on wildlife, contributing in improving the species conservation status
Teaching
2022 – 2023: Biology of subterranean environments
Studies and Career
2022 – ongoing: Tenure track at Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences (MeSVA), Università degli Studi dell’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
2021-2022: Postdoc at Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia.
2019-2021: Postdoc at Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
2015-2018: Doctorate in Natural Science, Biogeotraphy department, Trier University, Trier, Germany.
2012-2014: MSc in Science of Nature and Humans – curriculum Management and Conservation of Wildlife, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Firenze, Italy.
2009-2012: BSc in Natural Science, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
Editorial Activities
2023-ongoing. Section Editor for Subterranean Biology
2021-ongoing. Associate Editor for Acta Herpetologica.
2024-ongoing. Associate Editor of the Biogeography and Macroecology section, Frontiers in Ecology & Evolution.
2022-2024. Editor of the special issue: “Subterranean Zoology: Diversity, Distribution and Conservation of Subterranean Animals” for Diversity.
2022-ongoing. Editorial Board (Review Editor) of Conservation section, Frontiers in Amphibian and Reptile Science.
- Guest Associate Editor Behavioral and Evolutionary Ecology section, Frontiers in Ecology & Evolution.
2021-2023. Editor of the special issue: “Adaptations to Subterranean Environments” for Frontiers in Ecology & Evolution.
2021-2024. Editorial Board (Review Editor) of the Biogeography and Macroecology section, Frontiers in Ecology & Evolution.
2021-2023. Editor of the special issue: “Salamanders: Distribution, Diversity, and Conservation” for Animals.
- Editor of the special issue: ” Cave Communities: From the Surface Border to the Deep Darkness ” for Diversity.
2017-2018. Editorial Board (Review Editor) of Conservation section, Frontiers in Ecology & Evolution.