2009-2010
ECOCHANGE research fellow
Profile
Over the last 10 years, my research lines have been focused on the study of the evolutionary ecology and conservation biology, more concretely in the disciplines of behavioural ecology, life history evolution, population dynamics, predator-prey and host-parasitoid interactions. I have worked mainly on reptiles and amphibians, but also on insects, birds and mammals.
At the beginning, during my PhD studies, my main research line was focused on the study of life history strategies, as for example examining factors affecting survival from hatching to maturity in lizards. Later on, during my postdoctoral stay in Sweden, I began another research line focused on the study of the evolutionary and ecological consequences of host-parasitoid and predator-prey interactions. Complementary to the basic research lines, I have performed applied research related with conservation biology, but with a strong implication in the study of population dynamics. Thus, since year 2005 I carry out a management and conservation program of the Chafarinas skink (Ch. Parallelus) including the study of its population dynamic and life history.
Currently, I’m particularly interested in integrating different scientific fields in multidisciplinary approaches, as for example coupling population dynamics with global change biology and conservation. Thus, my current research interests include, on one hand, the study of the population dynamics and life history traits and strategies of endangered species, and in the other hand, the assessment of global change effects on biodiversity and ecosystems, with the goal to make them converge in the next future.
Selected publications
Martín J., Civantos E., Amo L. and López P. (2007) Chemical ornaments of male lizards Psammodromus algirus may reveal their parasite load and health state to females. Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology 62: 173-179.
Civantos E., Forsman A. and Ahnesjö J. (2005) Developmental instability and immune function in colour polymorphic pygmy grasshoppers. Evolutionary Ecology, 19: 1-14.
Civantos E., Ahnesjö J. and Forsman A. (2005) Immune function, parasitization and extended phenotypes in colour polymorphic pygmy grasshoppers. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 85: 373-383.
Civantos E., Ahnesjö J., Forsman A, Martín J. and López P. (2004) Indirect effects of prey coloration on predation risk: pygmy grasshoppers versus lizards. Evolutionary Ecology Research, 6: 201-213.
Civantos E., Martin J. and Lopez P. (2003) Fossorial life constrains microhabitat selection of the amphisbaenian Trogonophis wiegmanni. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 81: 1839-1844.
Forsman A., Ringblom K., Civantos E. and Ahnesjö J. (2002) Coevolution of color pattern and thermoregulatory behavior in polymorphic pygmy grasshopper Tetrix undulata. Evolution, 56(2): 349-360.
Civantos E. (2000) Home range ecology, aggressive behaviour and survival in juvenile Psammodromus algirus lizards. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 78: 1681-1685.
Civantos E. and Forsman A. (2000) Determinants of survival in juvenile Psammodromus algirus lizards. Oecologia, 124: 64-72.
