Oceanographer (2022) by the Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG), Master in Ecology (2025) by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). Currently a PhD candidate in Zoology at the University of São Paulo. Has experience in the fields of biological oceanography and ecology, working on topics such as vertebrate genetics, habitat use, molecular ecology, and phylogeography. Researches genetic diversity, connectivity, and hybridization of sea turtles; also uses stable isotopes for studies on habitat use and connectivity. I also work with population genomics and adaptive selection of insular snakes. Currently works as a collaborating researcher at the Laboratory for Responsible Fisheries Studies at the Institute of Oceanography - IO/FURG and is also part of the Laboratório de Coleções Zoológicas at the Instituto Butantan.
EDUCATION
Oceanographer - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG (2022)
M.Sc. in Ecology - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte - UFRN (2025)
Ph.D. candidate in Zoology - Universidade de São Paulo - USP (Current)
Population structure of the endangered green turtles in a feeding ground in Brazilian Northeast: Insights for conservation strategies Daniel Solon Dias de Farias, Roberta Ramblas Zamana, Aline da Costa Bomfim Ventura, Flávio José de Lima Silva, Simone Almeida Gavilan, et al. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 2025 Understanding the population structure and genetic diversity of green turtles is crucial for effective conservation. This study investigated the occurrence, genetic composition, and potential origins of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Potiguar Basin, northeastern Brazil, based on stranding data from 2010 to 2019. Analysis revealed that 87.36% of the population consisted of juveniles, primarily females with a curved carapace length (CCL) between 30 and 59.9 cm. Genetic analysis of the mtDNA control region (481 bp, n = 39) revealed eight haplotypes, with CM-A8 (48.7%) and CM-A5 (30.8%) being the most common. This may be related to the geographic position of the Potiguar Basin, located in the ‘corner’ of the South American continent. High haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity were observed, consistent with other Brazilian foraging grounds. Mixed stock analysis identified Ascension Island as the primary source population, followed by Guinea-Bissau and Surinam. The results highlight the importance of the Potiguar Basin as a foraging area for green turtles and emphasize the need for comprehensive conservation strategies to protect this vulnerable population.
Herpetofauna of Nísia Floresta National Forest, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil: Richness and abundance differences among natural and secondary forests Maria Beatriz de Andrade Sousa, Marília Bruzzi Lion, Winícius Mateus Magalhães Costa, Bryan André de Lima Egl, Fabiany Herica Figueiredo, et al. Biota Neotropica, 2024 In the Atlantic Forest, species distributions are not uniform. The biome has been divided into 8 biogeographic sub-regions, such as the Pernambuco Center of Endemism (PCE), in northeastern Brazil. Nísia Floresta National Forest (Flona) is a protected area situated in the municipality of Nísia Floresta, Rio Grande do Norte state, harboring native vegetation (Atlantic Forest and "Restingas or Tabuleiros") as well regenerating areas, with experimental plots of exotic plants for timber production. Herein, we present, for the first time, a species list of the herpetofauna surveyed at Flona over the past 10 years, using a standardized, long-term sampling design along with visual encounter surveys. We conducted monthly surveys across the area using 84 pitfall traps randomly distributed in 21 arrays throughout the forest's three phytogeographic zones (Restinga, Atlantic Forest, and Regeneration). In addition, we characterized ground-dwelling herpetofauna community diversity across these three zones over the course of an entire year. We collected a total of 39 species of reptiles (among lizards, snakes, chelonians, alligators, and amphisbaenians) and 24 species of frogs. The most frequent family found for reptiles was Dipsadidae, followed by Colubridae. In frogs, Leptodactylidae was the most common, followed by Hylidae. Herpetofaunal diversity in regeneration areas is smaller than forests, which in turn are marginally less diverse than the Restinga. Community descriptors such as equity, presence of exclusive species, and differences in abundances and composition indicate that distinct management strategies for each zone are needed for this protected area. At last, albeit smaller, diversity in regenerating areas is similar to natural areas, a reassuring result considering the significant deforestation the Atlantic Forest has suffered and the urgent need for restoration initiatives.
