Arthropods constitute the animal phyla with the highest diversity, and represent an excellent example to study different evolutionary aspects. The approach to this topic from molecular and morphological points of view has constituted one of my main research interest for the last 6 years. The phylogenetic position of arthropods among the Metazoa constitutes another debatable subject with two competing hypotheses, Articulata and Ecdysozoa. I am also seeking to expand these systematic studies to other arthropod groups, especially the millipedes. My interest in mollusk is focused on faunistics and taxonomy of Mediterranean species, and especially in evolution and systematics.
Metazoan relationships are still far from clear.
Both molecular and morphological phylogenies published so far have several inconsistencies and areas of irresolution. The problems with molecular phylogenies have been poor taxonomic sampling, and insufficient exploration of the data using methodologies such us parameter sensitivity on sequence alignments. Within the Metazoa, my principal interests is protostome relationships, mainly to test the reliability of two recently proposed clades of protostomes, the Ecdysozoa and the Platyzoa.