Welcome to the SLaBB
(Soto Lab of Bat Biology)
|
PI: Angelo (J. Angel Soto-Centeno, PhD)
Assistant Curator of Mammalogy American Museum of Natural History Department of Mammalogy 200 Central Park West New York, NY 10024 |
In a nutshell:
The Caribbean islands have a very complex geological history, which sets a remarkable stage to study biogeographic and evolutionary patterns in the animals and plants that inhabit this archipelago. Research in the SLaBB focuses on mammalian extinctions, phylogeography, and systematics, particularly using Caribbean bats as a model. We also tackle studies that are broad-scale and with mammals across the Neotropics and other parts of the world. Check out the science section to learn more about what we do.
The Caribbean islands have a very complex geological history, which sets a remarkable stage to study biogeographic and evolutionary patterns in the animals and plants that inhabit this archipelago. Research in the SLaBB focuses on mammalian extinctions, phylogeography, and systematics, particularly using Caribbean bats as a model. We also tackle studies that are broad-scale and with mammals across the Neotropics and other parts of the world. Check out the science section to learn more about what we do.
I am an Assistant Curator in the Department of Mammalogy at the American Museum of Natural History where I study extinction and speciation of bats using genomic, paleontological, and ecological data.
** If you are interested in bats, ecological niche modeling, extinctions, mammalogy, paleontology, phylogenomics,
phylogeography, and systematics contact me at asoto-centeno [at] amnh.org. Details here **
** If you are interested in bats, ecological niche modeling, extinctions, mammalogy, paleontology, phylogenomics,
phylogeography, and systematics contact me at asoto-centeno [at] amnh.org. Details here **
Welcome to the #PhyloClub |
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Latest news:
July 2024: We produced a rapid inventory of the bat, squamate, and amphibian diversity at Mata de Plátano Field Station in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. This is one of our long term research sites located in some beautiful moist forest of the island. Check out what species we found in our Ecology and Evolution Nature Notes paper at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.11648!
July 2024: You may know Trachops cirrhosus (infamous for its fondness for frogs) as a widely distributed Neotropical bat. We uncovered multiple lines of evidence showing that this previously thought monotypic taxon is in fact a complex of 3 species. Check out the latest AMNH blog about frog-eating bats including links to the open access publication!
May 2024: I just accepted a position as Assistant Curator of Mammalogy at the American Museum of Natural History! The SLaBB will be moving to the AMNH starting Fall 2024.
Note: asoto-centeno [at] amnh.org is the email to contact me.
If you are interested in pursuing a postdoc or PhD with me, check the Member Bios tab for details.
Note: asoto-centeno [at] amnh.org is the email to contact me.
If you are interested in pursuing a postdoc or PhD with me, check the Member Bios tab for details.
Mar 2024: We got a new paper in Scientific Reports led by Dr Justin Bernstein! Learn about the biogeography and population demographics of Hypsiscopus snakes here: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54744-z
Jan 2024: Our latest expedition to Puerto Rico yielded a ton of new discoveries. Keep tuned for upcoming publications including new extinct species that are new to science! This is part our recent NSF grant to study Caribbean extinctions.
Jan 2024: New paper by grad student Pedro Mônico accepted! New species limits for the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus). Will share the details from the Royal Society Open Science. doi.org/10.1098/rsos.231384
Dec 2023: PI Angelo spent 10 days in Costa Rica as part of the steering committee meeting for Global South Bats, and was elected as Coordinator for the Caribbean and Latin America. Stay tuned for more info on how we will promote inclusive and equitable research opportunities for Latino students.
Oct 2023: The SLaBB rocked NASBR with 6 talks and posters by all grad students and former postdocs, including a Karl Koopman award to Pedro Mônico for best presentation in biogeography and phylogenetics. Way to go!
Sept 2023: We got a new paper accepted on the invasion risk of Eucalyptus snout beetles in South America. Check out the details in Ecology and Evolution: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10531
Feb 2023: Our new book on the Bats of the West Indies is almost out. Pre-order your copy here: Bats of the West Indies – A natural history and field guide. Cornell University Press.
Dec 2022: Paper accepted! We have a new article on how environment helps explain phenotypic convergence in hoary bats! Check it out in Nature Scientific Reports.
Dec 2022: It's official! Amani Abdelsalam just graduated with her Masters after successfully conducting studies on NJ bats at the SLaBB
Aug 2022: With deep sorrow, we say goodbye to Camilo. He's moving on to a new position with the NY Mammal Survey. Thanks for a great 3 years of postdoc!
Jun 2022: Back in the field with Camilo, Lázaro, Justin, and Pedro! Great times bat catching and digging new holes in search of fossils
Aug 2021: We got a new NSF funded project! Chronological context of species loss in a Caribbean vertebrate community
Jul 2021: Check out our most recent research spotlight from Rutgers School of Arts & Sciences – Newark. https://bit.ly/35v908x.
Apr 2021: We have a new publication looking at populations of Stenoderma rufum and how deforestation and hurricanes affect their connectivity. Live at Scientific Reports: www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-88616-7.
Sep 2020: Check out our latest vertebrate extinction chronology from Cuba. 17 localities & 27 taxa. Live at Quaternary Science Reviews: doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2020.106597.