By integrating evolutionary and ecological approaches the Werneck lab seeks to understand the role of various factors on the speciation and diversification of amphibians and reptiles in Amazonia and in the Amazonia-Cerrado ecotone. Effects we investigate include:
Biogeographic and landscape evolution factors, with studies of phylogenetics, systematics, phylogeography and comparative phylogeography Environmental effects that generate population structure/isolation and species assembly, with studies of landscape genetics and community assembly Ecological preferences, with studies of niche evolution, thermal physiology and quantification of extinction risks due to climate change.