Published Papers

Project name: The role of ecological barriers in the genetic structure of viperid snakes: a multi-scale approach

Funding institution: FCT

Reference: POCTI/BIA-BDE/55596/2004

Brito, J.C., X. Santos, J.M. Pleguezuelos & N. Sillero (2008). Inferring evolutionary scenarios with geostatistics and geographical information systems for the viperid snakes Vipera latastei and V. monticola. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 95: 790-806.

Brito, J.C., M. Feriche, T. Herrera, A. Kaliontzopoulou, F. Martínez-Freiría, D. Nesbitt, D. Omolo, D. Ontiveros, L. Quiñoz, J.M. Pleguezuelos, X. Santos & N. Sillero (2008). En los límites de su distribución: anfibios y reptiles paleárticos en el noroeste de Túnez. Boletín de la Asociación Herpetológica Española, 19: 1-8.

Fahd, S., M. Barata, M. Benítez, J.C. Brito, J. Caro, S. Carvalho, M. Chirosa, M. Feriche, T. Herrera, R. Márquez-Ferrando, D. Nesbitt, J.M. Pleguezuelos, R. Reques, M. Paz Rodríguez, X. Santos, M. Sicilia & R. Vasconcelos (2007). Presencia de la víbora hocicuda Vipera latastei en el Atlas Medio (Marruecos) y otras citas herpetológicas para la región. Boletín de la Asociación Herpetológica Española, 18: 26-34.

Harris, D.J., M.A. Carretero, J.C. Brito, A. Kaliontzopoulou, C. Pinho, A. Perera, R. Vasconcelos, M. Barata, D. Barbosa, S. Carvalho, M.M. Fonseca, G. Pérez-Lanuza & C. Rato (2008). Data on the distribution of the terrestrial herpetofauna of Morocco: records from 2001-2006. Herpetological Bulletin, 103: 19-28.

Martínez-Freiría, F., X. Santos, J.M. Pleguezuelos, M. Lizana & J.C. Brito (2009). Geographical patterns of morphological variation and environmental correlates in contact zones: a multi-scale approach using two Mediterranean vipers. Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 47: 357-367.

Martínez-Freiría, F., M. Lizana, J.P. Amaral & J.C. Brito (2009). Comparative ecological traits of two Mediterranean vipers in a hybrid zone: interspecific competition, niche segregation and competitive advantages. Amphibia-Reptilia, in press.

Martínez-Freiría, F., N. Sillero, M. Lizana & J.C. Brito (2008). GIS-based niche models identify environmental correlates sustaining a contact zone between three species of European vipers. Diversity and Distributions, 14: 452-461.

Martínez-Freiría, F., J.C. Brito & M. Lizana (2006). Ophiophagy and cannibalism in Vipera latastei Boscá, 1878 (Reptilia, Viperidae). Herpetological Bulletin, 96: 26-29.

Martínez-Freiría, F., J.C. Brito & M. Lizana (2006). Intermediate forms and syntopy among vipers (V. aspis and V. latastei) in Northern Iberian Peninsula. Herpetological Bulletin, 97: 14-18.

Project name: Phylogeography of the Spiny-footed lizards, Acanthodactylus, in West Africa

Funding institution: National Geographic Society

Reference: grant 7629-04

Brito, J.C., A.L. Acosta, F. Álvares & F. Cuzin (2009). Biogeography and conservation of taxa from remote regions: An application of ecological-niche based models and GIS to North-African canids. Biological Conservation, 142: 3020-3029.

Brito, J.C., Rebelo, H., Crochet, P.-A., & Geniez, P. (2008) Data on the distribution of amphibians and reptiles from North and West Africa, with emphasis on Acanthodactylus lizards and the Sahara Desert. Herpetological Bulletin 105, 19-27.

Fonseca, M.M., Brito, J.C., Paulo, O.S., Carretero, M.A. & Harris, D.J. (2009) Systematic and phylogeographical assessment of the Acanthodactylus erythrurus group (Reptilia: Lacertidae) based on phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 51: 131-142.

Fonseca, M.M., J.C. Brito, H. Rebelo, M. Kalboussi, S. Larbes, M.A. Carretero & D.J. Harris (2008). Genetic variation among spiny-footed lizards in the Acanthodactylus pardalis group from North Africa. African Zoology, 43: 8-15.

Froufe, E., J.C. Brito & D.J. Harris (2009). Phylogeography of North African Amietophrynus xeros estimated from mitochondrial DNA sequences. African Zoology, 44(2): in press.

Harris, D.J., R. Vasconcelos & J.C. Brito (2007). Genetic variation within African spiny-tailed lizards (Agamidae: Uromastyx) estimated using mitochondrial DNA sequences. Amphibia-Reptilia, 28: 1-6.

Kaliontzopoulou, A., J.C. Brito, M.A. Carretero, S. Larbes & D.J. Harris (2008). Modelling the partially unknown distribution of wall lizards (Podarcis) in North Africa: ecological affinities, potential areas of occurrence, and methodological constraints. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 86: 992-1001.

Lima, A., C. Pinho, S. Larbes, M.A. Carretero, J.C. Brito & D.J. Harris (2009). Relationships of Podarcis wall lizards from Algeria based on mtDNA data. Amphibia-Reptilia, 30: 483-492.

Rato, C., J.C. Brito, M.A. Carretero, S. Larbes, B. Shacham & D.J. Harris (2007). Phylogeography and genetic diversity of Psammophis schokari (Serpentes) in North Africa based on mitochondrial DNA sequences. African Zoology, 42: 112-117.

Rebelo, H. & J.C. Brito (2007). Bat guild structure and habitat use in the Sahara desert. African Journal of Ecology, 45: 228-230.

Project name: Biogeographic and Evolutionary Patterns in Isolated Vertebrates from Mauritania

Funding institution: National Geographic Society

Reference: grant 8412-08

Froufe, E., J.C. Brito & D.J. Harris (2009). Phylogeography of North African Amietophrynus xeros estimated from mitochondrial DNA sequences. African Zoology, 44(2): in press.

Padial, J.M., P.-A. Crochet, P. Geniez & J.C. Brito (2009). Amphibian conservation in Mauritania. In: Amphibian Conservation: Africa, H. Heatwole & S.D. Busack (eds.). Surrey Beatty Pty. Ltd, Sydney: in press.