Current research projects:


The following topics are currently under active investigation:

1. Evolution of Myxozoan genome (in collaboration with Prof. Ariel Diamant, National Center for Mariculture).
With thousands of members, Myxozoa is among the least studied animal group. These parasites have a very simple organization but a complex life cycle that typically alternates between an annelid host and a fish host. Although they are known to cause damage to fish aquaculture, with important economic consequences, very few genes have been sequenced for these species.
 
Using illumina sequencing we aim to improve our understanding of myxozoan genome evolution, and to clarify myxozoan phylogenetic relationships.


2. Phylogeny of sponges (in collaboration with Prof. Micha Ilan, Tel-Aviv University).
Sponges are the first Metazoa (multicellular animals) to diverge. This diverse group includes about 5000 known species world-wide. They are found in virtually all aquatic habitats, although they are most common and diverse in the marine environment. They are divided into three classes and their systematics is debated. Even the monophyly of sponges has been questioned.
 
We started sequencing sponge mitochondrial genome and new nuclear gene marker to improve our understanding of the phylogenetic diversity of this phylum.


3. Rodent phylogeny (in collaboration with Dr. Juergen Schmitz, University of Muenster, and Prof. Emmanuel J.P. Douzery, University Montpellier II).
Rodents are the most diversified placental orders (2021 species divided into 28 families). Actually, they form half of the placental species diversity (Wilson and Reeder 1993). Because of their large diversity, rodents are also model species in molecular genetics, paleontology, parasitology, and epidemiology. Despite the recent accumulation of rodent sequences in the data bank, many questions are still unsolved concerning rodent relationships. Certain key clades have moderate support from existing molecular data, but are not supported by morphological or paleontological evidence; the position of the root of the rodent tree remains debated; and the timing of the rodent radiation are still uncertain. We are studying these key questions by expanding existing DNA sequence data, expanding taxonomic coverage, and studying the phylogenetic distribution and evolution of SINE families.


4. Improving phylogenetic analysis.
I am interested in understanding how to improve phylogenetic inferences by comparing different evolutionary models and diferent datasets. For example, in collaboration with Prof. Tal Pupko (Tel-Aviv University). We have studied different models for combining genes in phylogenetic analysis. Currently we are working on improving phylogenetic inferences based on indel characters.

5. Phylogeography of various Israeli species.
I am involved in few projects that concern phylogeography of Israeli species. More particularly :

Phylogeography of Israeli Cichlids:
In collaboration with Dr. Menachem Goren and Amir Szitenberg (Ph.D. student): Department of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University.

Phylogeny of fruit flies (Tephritidae):
In collaboration with Dr. Amnon Freidberg and Liat Gahanama (Ph.D. student): Department of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University.

Phylogeography of Israeli shrews:
In collaboration with Dr. Shai Meiri : Department of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University.


Past collaborations
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