MY RESEARCH

Exploring the relationship between individuals or species

My research delves into understanding how interactions between organisms shape our natural world. From the individual to community levels, I explore the causes and effects of these dynamics across spatial-temporal scales. Understanding these interactions is important for predicting and managing infectious disease dynamics and mitigating their impacts.


"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn’t be called research". Albert Einstein

My research line

Ecological and evolutionary dynamics of host-parasite interactions 

The ecological and evolutionary dynamics of host-parasite interactions refer to the complex interplay between hosts and parasites over time, encompassing both ecological and evolutionary processes.

Understanding these dynamics can provide insights into the mechanisms that drive, for example, infectious disease transmission. By unraveling these complex interactions, we can develop effective strategies for disease management.

The ecological and evolutionary dynamics of host-parasite interactions refer to the complex interplay between hosts and parasites over time, encompassing both ecological and evolutionary processes.

Understanding these dynamics can provide insights into the mechanisms that drive, for example, infectious disease transmission. By unraveling these complex interactions, we can develop effective strategies for disease management.

The ecological and evolutionary dynamics of host-parasite interactions refer to the complex interplay between hosts and parasites over time, encompassing both ecological and evolutionary processes.

Understanding these dynamics can provide insights into the mechanisms that drive, for example, infectious disease transmission. By unraveling these complex interactions, we can develop effective strategies for disease management.

explore some of my projects

Social interactions differ in their impact on infection status.

We are using Gyps fulvus and mycoplasma as a model system to study how social behavior affects infection status in a wild population. G. fulvus is a locally threatened vulture species that provides important ecosystem sanitation services in Israel, while mycoplasma is a group of bacteria known to cause respiratory diseases in birds.

We infer social interactions from the spatial proximity of GPS-tracked vultures and record the presence of mycoplasma in individuals captured in the wild to investigate the dynamics of this system. We examine the relationship between social position (network centrality) and infection status (positive or negative).

Social interactions differ in their impact on infection status.

We are using Gyps fulvus and mycoplasma as a model system to study how social behavior affects infection status in a wild population. G. fulvus is a locally threatened vulture species that provides important ecosystem sanitation services in Israel, while mycoplasma is a group of bacteria known to cause respiratory diseases in birds.

We infer social interactions from the spatial proximity of GPS-tracked vultures and record the presence of mycoplasma in individuals captured in the wild to investigate the dynamics of this system. We examine the relationship between social position (network centrality) and infection status (positive or negative).

Social interactions differ in their impact on infection status.

We are using Gyps fulvus and mycoplasma as a model system to study how social behavior affects infection status in a wild population. G. fulvus is a locally threatened vulture species that provides important ecosystem sanitation services in Israel, while mycoplasma is a group of bacteria known to cause respiratory diseases in birds.

We infer social interactions from the spatial proximity of GPS-tracked vultures and record the presence of mycoplasma in individuals captured in the wild to investigate the dynamics of this system. We examine the relationship between social position (network centrality) and infection status (positive or negative).

Social interactions differ in their impact on infection status.

We are using Gyps fulvus and mycoplasma as a model system to study how social behavior affects infection status in a wild population. G. fulvus is a locally threatened vulture species that provides important ecosystem sanitation services in Israel, while mycoplasma is a group of bacteria known to cause respiratory diseases in birds.

We infer social interactions from the spatial proximity of GPS-tracked vultures and record the presence of mycoplasma in individuals captured in the wild to investigate the dynamics of this system. We examine the relationship between social position (network centrality) and infection status (positive or negative).

Social interactions differ in their impact on infection status.

We are using Gyps fulvus and mycoplasma as a model system to study how social behavior affects infection status in a wild population. G. fulvus is a locally threatened vulture species that provides important ecosystem sanitation services in Israel, while mycoplasma is a group of bacteria known to cause respiratory diseases in birds.

We infer social interactions from the spatial proximity of GPS-tracked vultures and record the presence of mycoplasma in individuals captured in the wild to investigate the dynamics of this system. We examine the relationship between social position (network centrality) and infection status (positive or negative).

Influence of host switching and indirect effects on the evolution of host-parasite interaction networks.

Host-switching events are common in nature and significantly influence parasite community dynamics and evolutionary processes. Our study investigates how these events, occurring frequently, shape the structure of host-parasite networks at a microevolutionary scale. By integrating empirical data and advanced network science tools, we analyze the impact of host-switching on the dynamic evolution of parasite diversity and network structures. We identify critical thresholds of host-switching intensity that closely reflect the topology of empirical networks, providing valuable insights into the dynamic interplay between host-species interactions and parasite diversification over evolutionary timescales.

Influence of host switching and indirect effects on the evolution of host-parasite interaction networks.

Host-switching events are common in nature and significantly influence parasite community dynamics and evolutionary processes. Our study investigates how these events, occurring frequently, shape the structure of host-parasite networks at a microevolutionary scale. By integrating empirical data and advanced network science tools, we analyze the impact of host-switching on the dynamic evolution of parasite diversity and network structures. We identify critical thresholds of host-switching intensity that closely reflect the topology of empirical networks, providing valuable insights into the dynamic interplay between host-species interactions and parasite diversification over evolutionary timescales.

Influence of host switching and indirect effects on the evolution of host-parasite interaction networks.

Host-switching events are common in nature and significantly influence parasite community dynamics and evolutionary processes. Our study investigates how these events, occurring frequently, shape the structure of host-parasite networks at a microevolutionary scale. By integrating empirical data and advanced network science tools, we analyze the impact of host-switching on the dynamic evolution of parasite diversity and network structures. We identify critical thresholds of host-switching intensity that closely reflect the topology of empirical networks, providing valuable insights into the dynamic interplay between host-species interactions and parasite diversification over evolutionary timescales.

Influence of host switching and indirect effects on the evolution of host-parasite interaction networks.

Host-switching events are common in nature and significantly influence parasite community dynamics and evolutionary processes. Our study investigates how these events, occurring frequently, shape the structure of host-parasite networks at a microevolutionary scale. By integrating empirical data and advanced network science tools, we analyze the impact of host-switching on the dynamic evolution of parasite diversity and network structures. We identify critical thresholds of host-switching intensity that closely reflect the topology of empirical networks, providing valuable insights into the dynamic interplay between host-species interactions and parasite diversification over evolutionary timescales.

Influence of host switching and indirect effects on the evolution of host-parasite interaction networks.

Host-switching events are common in nature and significantly influence parasite community dynamics and evolutionary processes. Our study investigates how these events, occurring frequently, shape the structure of host-parasite networks at a microevolutionary scale. By integrating empirical data and advanced network science tools, we analyze the impact of host-switching on the dynamic evolution of parasite diversity and network structures. We identify critical thresholds of host-switching intensity that closely reflect the topology of empirical networks, providing valuable insights into the dynamic interplay between host-species interactions and parasite diversification over evolutionary timescales.

Can host species traits facilitate host-switching events by parasites?

The traits of host species drive parasite transmission and can provide information to predict host-switching events on a microevolutionary scale. Our study explores how host traits influence parasite host-switching intensities, revealing associations with body mass, diet breadth, and more. We conclude that host-switching is a highly context-dependent phenomenon involving interaction opportunity, spatial scale, and parasite capacity.

Can host species traits facilitate host-switching events by parasites?

The traits of host species drive parasite transmission and can provide information to predict host-switching events on a microevolutionary scale. Our study explores how host traits influence parasite host-switching intensities, revealing associations with body mass, diet breadth, and more. We conclude that host-switching is a highly context-dependent phenomenon involving interaction opportunity, spatial scale, and parasite capacity.

Can host species traits facilitate host-switching events by parasites?

The traits of host species drive parasite transmission and can provide information to predict host-switching events on a microevolutionary scale. Our study explores how host traits influence parasite host-switching intensities, revealing associations with body mass, diet breadth, and more. We conclude that host-switching is a highly context-dependent phenomenon involving interaction opportunity, spatial scale, and parasite capacity.

Can host species traits facilitate host-switching events by parasites?

The traits of host species drive parasite transmission and can provide information to predict host-switching events on a microevolutionary scale. Our study explores how host traits influence parasite host-switching intensities, revealing associations with body mass, diet breadth, and more. We conclude that host-switching is a highly context-dependent phenomenon involving interaction opportunity, spatial scale, and parasite capacity.

Can host species traits facilitate host-switching events by parasites?

The traits of host species drive parasite transmission and can provide information to predict host-switching events on a microevolutionary scale. Our study explores how host traits influence parasite host-switching intensities, revealing associations with body mass, diet breadth, and more. We conclude that host-switching is a highly context-dependent phenomenon involving interaction opportunity, spatial scale, and parasite capacity.

Implications of host-switching on the ecology and evolution of parasites.

Speciation via host-switching is a macroevolutionary process stemming from microevolutionary dynamics, where parasites establish new associations and reduce reproductive contact with original lineages. Our theoretical model simulates parasite evolution, accounting for host-switching intensity, host phylogeny, and geographic distribution. We find that turnover decreases with increasing host-switching intensity, while tree imbalance varies stochastically. We found that local communities corresponded to higher host-switching intensity when compared to regional communities, highlighting that spatial scale is a limitation for host-switching. 

Implications of host-switching on the ecology and evolution of parasites.

Speciation via host-switching is a macroevolutionary process stemming from microevolutionary dynamics, where parasites establish new associations and reduce reproductive contact with original lineages. Our theoretical model simulates parasite evolution, accounting for host-switching intensity, host phylogeny, and geographic distribution. We find that turnover decreases with increasing host-switching intensity, while tree imbalance varies stochastically. We found that local communities corresponded to higher host-switching intensity when compared to regional communities, highlighting that spatial scale is a limitation for host-switching. 

Implications of host-switching on the ecology and evolution of parasites.

Speciation via host-switching is a macroevolutionary process stemming from microevolutionary dynamics, where parasites establish new associations and reduce reproductive contact with original lineages. Our theoretical model simulates parasite evolution, accounting for host-switching intensity, host phylogeny, and geographic distribution. We find that turnover decreases with increasing host-switching intensity, while tree imbalance varies stochastically. We found that local communities corresponded to higher host-switching intensity when compared to regional communities, highlighting that spatial scale is a limitation for host-switching. 

Implications of host-switching on the evolution of parasites.

Speciation via host-switching is a macroevolutionary process stemming from microevolutionary dynamics, where parasites establish new associations and reduce reproductive contact with original lineages. Our theoretical model simulates parasite evolution, accounting for host-switching intensity, host phylogeny, and geographic distribution. We find that turnover decreases with increasing host-switching intensity, while tree imbalance varies stochastically. We found that local communities corresponded to higher host-switching intensity when compared to regional communities, highlighting that spatial scale is a limitation for host-switching. 

Implications of host-switching on the evolution of parasites.

Speciation via host-switching is a macroevolutionary process stemming from microevolutionary dynamics, where parasites establish new associations and reduce reproductive contact with original lineages. Our theoretical model simulates parasite evolution, accounting for host-switching intensity, host phylogeny, and geographic distribution. We find that turnover decreases with increasing host-switching intensity, while tree imbalance varies stochastically. We found that local communities corresponded to higher host-switching intensity when compared to regional communities, highlighting that spatial scale is a limitation for host-switching. 

Beta diversity of parasites in anurans of the Neotropical region. corrected

There is great heterogeneity in parasite communities among hosts, and understanding the nature and factors causing these variations can help establish effective strategies for controlling parasitic diseases. In this study, we address questions such as: (i) What is the main component of β-diversity (nestedness or turnover) of parasites among anuran species? (ii) Does the β-diversity of parasites follow a non-random pattern? (iii) Is the composition of parasite communities related to the phylogenetic or functional attributes of host species?

Beta diversity of parasites in anurans of the Neotropical region. corrected

There is great heterogeneity in parasite communities among hosts, and understanding the nature and factors causing these variations can help establish effective strategies for controlling parasitic diseases. In this study, we address questions such as: (i) What is the main component of β-diversity (nestedness or turnover) of parasites among anuran species? (ii) Does the β-diversity of parasites follow a non-random pattern? (iii) Is the composition of parasite communities related to the phylogenetic or functional attributes of host species?

Beta diversity of parasites in anurans of the Neotropical region. corrected

There is great heterogeneity in parasite communities among hosts, and understanding the nature and factors causing these variations can help establish effective strategies for controlling parasitic diseases. In this study, we address questions such as: (i) What is the main component of β-diversity (nestedness or turnover) of parasites among anuran species? (ii) Does the β-diversity of parasites follow a non-random pattern? (iii) Is the composition of parasite communities related to the phylogenetic or functional attributes of host species?

Beta diversity of parasites in anurans of the Neotropical region.

There is great heterogeneity in parasite communities among hosts, and understanding the nature and drivers of such variations is still a great scientific quest. Our analysis addresses key questions: (i) What is the beta-diversity component (nestedness or turnover) that most contribute to beta diversity in parasite communities among anuran species? (ii) Does the beta diversity of parasite communities follow a non-random pattern? (iii) Is the dissimilarity in the composition of parasite communities related to the phylogenetic or functional dissimilarity among hosts? We discovered that turnover dominates beta diversity in parasite assemblages, but variation aligns with null models. Dissimilarity in parasite communities shows no clear link to host phylogenetic or functional variability across most localities. Our findings hint at a process of resource tracking by parasite species.

Beta diversity of parasites in anurans of the Neotropical region.

There is great heterogeneity in parasite communities among hosts, and understanding the nature and drivers of such variations is still a great scientific quest. Our analysis addresses key questions: (i) What is the beta-diversity component (nestedness or turnover) that most contribute to beta diversity in parasite communities among anuran species? (ii) Does the beta diversity of parasite communities follow a non-random pattern? (iii) Is the dissimilarity in the composition of parasite communities related to the phylogenetic or functional dissimilarity among hosts? We discovered that turnover dominates beta diversity in parasite assemblages, but variation aligns with null models. Dissimilarity in parasite communities shows no clear link to host phylogenetic or functional variability across most localities. Our findings hint at a process of resource tracking by parasite species.

Myiasis in anurans in the Atlantic Forest.

Myiasis is defined as the infestation of living or necrotic tissues of vertebrates by dipteran larvae. Myiasis, infestation of vertebrate tissues by dipteran larvae, affects amphibians with larvae from families Calliphoridae, Chloropidae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae. We document new myiasis records in Atlantic Forest anurans, with larvae identified as Lepidodexia fumipennis and Peckia lambens in Bokermannohyla circumdata. Our study, alongside literature review, highlights myiasis diversity and rapid mortality risk in anurans, indicating potentially underestimated impact in nature.

Myiasis in anurans in the Atlantic Forest.

Myiasis is defined as the infestation of living or necrotic tissues of vertebrates by dipteran larvae. Myiasis, infestation of vertebrate tissues by dipteran larvae, affects amphibians with larvae from families Calliphoridae, Chloropidae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae. We document new myiasis records in Atlantic Forest anurans, with larvae identified as Lepidodexia fumipennis and Peckia lambens in Bokermannohyla circumdata. Our study, alongside literature review, highlights myiasis diversity and rapid mortality risk in anurans, indicating potentially underestimated impact in nature.

Myiasis in anurans in the Atlantic Forest.

Myiasis is defined as the infestation of living or necrotic tissues of vertebrates by dipteran larvae. Myiasis, infestation of vertebrate tissues by dipteran larvae, affects amphibians with larvae from families Calliphoridae, Chloropidae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae. We document new myiasis records in Atlantic Forest anurans, with larvae identified as Lepidodexia fumipennis and Peckia lambens in Bokermannohyla circumdata. Our study, alongside literature review, highlights myiasis diversity and rapid mortality risk in anurans, indicating potentially underestimated impact in nature.

Myiasis in anurans in the Atlantic Forest.

Myiasis is defined as the infestation of living or necrotic tissues of vertebrates by dipteran larvae. Myiasis, infestation of vertebrate tissues by dipteran larvae, affects amphibians with larvae from families Calliphoridae, Chloropidae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae. We document new myiasis records in Atlantic Forest anurans, with larvae identified as Lepidodexia fumipennis and Peckia lambens in Bokermannohyla circumdata. Our study, alongside literature review, highlights myiasis diversity and rapid mortality risk in anurans, indicating potentially underestimated impact in nature.

Myiasis in anurans in the Atlantic Forest.

Myiasis is defined as the infestation of living or necrotic tissues of vertebrates by dipteran larvae. Myiasis, infestation of vertebrate tissues by dipteran larvae, affects amphibians with larvae from families Calliphoridae, Chloropidae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae. We document new myiasis records in Atlantic Forest anurans, with larvae identified as Lepidodexia fumipennis and Peckia lambens in Bokermannohyla circumdata. Our study, alongside literature review, highlights myiasis diversity and rapid mortality risk in anurans, indicating potentially underestimated impact in nature.

Influence of interaction opportunity on the topology of parasite-host interaction networks in different environments.

Despite extensive interest in quantifying host-parasite interaction networks, factors like taxonomy, host body size, and ecological opportunity remain poorly understood. We explore network structure in anuran-parasite networks across Brazilian Pantanal and Atlantic Forest. We present theoretical models to test whether the structures of these host–parasite interaction networks are influenced by neutrality, host taxonomy, and host body size. Our study reveals host body size and taxonomy significantly shape network structure, with seasonally flooded environments exhibiting distinct characteristics favoring new species associations.

Influence of interaction opportunity on the topology of parasite-host interaction networks in different environments.

Despite extensive interest in quantifying host-parasite interaction networks, factors like taxonomy, host body size, and ecological opportunity remain poorly understood. We explore network structure in anuran-parasite networks across Brazilian Pantanal and Atlantic Forest. We present theoretical models to test whether the structures of these host–parasite interaction networks are influenced by neutrality, host taxonomy, and host body size. Our study reveals host body size and taxonomy significantly shape network structure, with seasonally flooded environments exhibiting distinct characteristics favoring new species associations.

Influence of interaction opportunity on the topology of parasite-host interaction networks in different environments.

Despite extensive interest in quantifying host-parasite interaction networks, factors like taxonomy, host body size, and ecological opportunity remain poorly understood. We explore network structure in anuran-parasite networks across Brazilian Pantanal and Atlantic Forest. We present theoretical models to test whether the structures of these host–parasite interaction networks are influenced by neutrality, host taxonomy, and host body size. Our study reveals host body size and taxonomy significantly shape network structure, with seasonally flooded environments exhibiting distinct characteristics favoring new species associations.

Influence of interaction opportunity on the topology of parasite-host interaction networks in different environments.

Despite extensive interest in quantifying host-parasite interaction networks, factors like taxonomy, host body size, and ecological opportunity remain poorly understood. We explore network structure in anuran-parasite networks across Brazilian Pantanal and Atlantic Forest. We present theoretical models to test whether the structures of these host–parasite interaction networks are influenced by neutrality, host taxonomy, and host body size. Our study reveals host body size and taxonomy significantly shape network structure, with seasonally flooded environments exhibiting distinct characteristics favoring new species associations.

Influence of interaction opportunity on the topology of parasite-host interaction networks in different environments.

Despite extensive interest in quantifying host-parasite interaction networks, factors like taxonomy, host body size, and ecological opportunity remain poorly understood. We explore network structure in anuran-parasite networks across Brazilian Pantanal and Atlantic Forest. We present theoretical models to test whether the structures of these host–parasite interaction networks are influenced by neutrality, host taxonomy, and host body size. Our study reveals host body size and taxonomy significantly shape network structure, with seasonally flooded environments exhibiting distinct characteristics favoring new species associations.