CRETUS STAFF

Fernando Martínez-Freiría

Assistant Professor 
Department: Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology
Center: Biology
Research Group: BiBiCI, Biodiversity, Biogeography and Integrative Conservation
Phone: +34 881 813260
Email: fernando.martinez.freiria@usc.es
Group Web: Biodiversity, Biogeography and Integrative Conservation

Fernando Martínez-Freiría is an evolutionary biologist interested in the comprehensive understanding of phenotypic and genetic diversity and its application to conservation. He develops biogeographical research aimed at better understanding how evolutionary and ecological forces interact at different scales to produce patterns of phenotypic and genetic variation and, consequently, identify threat factors and anticipate biodiversity conservation needs in the face of anthropogenic changes. In his studies, he frequently uses reptiles, in particular venomous snakes, as model organisms, based on a strong fieldwork component, the collection of data from scientific collections and the application of multiple tools (e.g. phylogenetic, phylogeographic, venomic, GIS, ecological models …) to spatially integrating information on morphological, venom, ecological, environmental and genetic variation.

Graduated in Biology from the University of Santiago de Compostela (2002), he completed his doctoral thesis on the mechanisms that allow the coexistence of parapatric reptiles (vipers) in a secondary contact zone in the north of the Iberian Peninsula (University of Salamanca, 2009). During his postdoctoral period at CIBIO of the University of Porto in Portugal (2010-2025) he expanded his lines of research in evolutionary ecology and conservation of vertebrates from Europe and Africa. In 2025 he joined the University of Santiago de Compostela as an Assistant Professor of Zoology and in 2026 to CRETUS. He is a member of the Biodiversity, Biogeography and Integrative Conservation Research Group (BiBiCI), and head of the Laboratory of Evolutionary Biology of Reptiles. He is also an active member of several conservation associations (IUCN Viper Specialist Group, Asociación Herpetológica Española -AHE-, Grupo de Estudo dos Animais Salvaxes -GEAS-), in which he collaborates in aspects of biodiversity monitoring, conservation and knowledge dissemination.

Research Lines

• Historical and current biogeography
• Phenotypic evolution
• Effect of anthropogenic change in the biodiversity
• Monitoring, ecology and conservation of populations