Research on mosses of the family Orthotrichaceae:
Integrative Taxonomy
Phylogeny and Evolution
Ecology, Distribution and Diversification
About us
We are a research team focused on the study of the mosses of the family Orthotrichaceae. It is a very diverse group of bryophytes, widespread around the globe. They mostly live as epiphytes although some species are saxicolous. The family comprises two subfamilies with very different morphological, biogeographic and ecological traits: whereas Macromitrioideae is almost exclusively intertropical, Orthotrichoideae is common in temperate and cold regions of both hemispheres, as well as of high tropical mountains.
Our research has mainly focused on Orthotrichoideae and especially on the so called ‘orthotrichaceous mosses’, those of Orthotrichum and related genera. These mosses play a significant role in the epiphytic cryptogamic communities under temperate climates, both in dry and in oceanic or hyper-oceanic conditions. Now, we take a further step to address the study of the entire family as a whole.
We are interested in many issues related to the diversity, distribution and evolution of these plants. To investigate these questions, we have spent three decades studying the morphology and life of Orthotrichaceae in the main areas of the world where they are diversified. In addition, we use multiple approaches for case studies, combining molecular, biogeographic and biometric data analysis techniques.
Meet the team
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Paco.jpg)
Francisco lara
Professor of Botany at U.A.M. (Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain).
Focused on Field work and Taxonomy. Also fascinated with distribution and diversification patterns, and several ecological aspects.
ORCID: 0000-0002-1665-5277
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/draper2-scaled.jpg)
isabel draper
Senior lecturer at U.A.M.
Specialised in the analysis of molecular data and on the reconstruction of the phylogenetic relationships and the evolutionary and biogeographic history of the family Orthotrichaceae.
ORCID: 0000-0003-3102-9386
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Richi-en-Caleta-Tortel.jpg)
ricardo garilleti
Professor of Botany at U.V. (University of Valencia, Spain).
Centered in Taxonomy and Field work. Also interested in Biogeography, character evolution and nomenclature.
ORCID: 0000-0002-5977-2908
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Vicente-en-Simiens-scaled.jpg)
Vicente MAZIMPAKA
Emeritus Professor at U.A.M.
My research interest is centered on Ecology and distribution of bryophytes, Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Biogeography of Orthotrichaceae.
ORCID: 0000-0002-8635-5392
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Juancho-Calleja.jpg)
Juan Antonio CALLEJA
Assistant Professor at U.A.M.
My research comprises studies on phylogeny and biogeography of vascular plants and bryophytes (Orthotrichaceae), plant – animal interactions, and conservation biology.
ORCID: 0000-0002-6586-0939
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Belen-Albertos-scaled.jpg)
Belén ALBERTOS
Assistant Professor U.V.
Research interest focused on plant conservation. Also interested in taxonomy, biogeography and ecology of bryophytes. Strong supporter of Science dissemination.
ORCID: 0000-0002-2116-5600
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Bea-Vigalondo-scaled.jpg)
Beatriz VIGALONDO
High school Science Teacher at Madrid.
Specialized in systematics and biogeography of plants. Transmitting science and the importance of Taxonomy and Biodiversity to young students.
ORCID: 0000-0003-1425-4661
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Amelia-Mateo.jpeg)
Amelia MATEO
P.h.D student at U.A.M.
Master of Science and Assistant Professor at University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez.
ORCID: 0000-0001-7600-5236
![Niko Maranov](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Niko-Matanov4.jpg)
Nikolay Matanov
P.h.D student at U.V.
Interuniversity Master’s degree in Ecosystem Restoration at Complutense University of Madrid (U.C.M.).
ORCID: 0000-0002-1892-6552
![P. Aguado Ramsay 2](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Foto-mia-2.jpg)
Pablo AGUADO-RAMSAY
P.h.D student at U.A.M.
Master’s degree in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology and Master’s degree in Advanced bioinformatics analysis, both at University Pablo de Olavide.
ORCID: 0000-0002-8714-9304
![Macarena](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Macarena-scaled.jpg)
MACARENA CUERDO
Laboratory technician.
Master’s degree in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology at University Pablo de Olavide.
ORCID: 0000-0001-7399-6070
COLLABORATORS
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Mario-Fernández-Mazuecos.jpg)
Mario Fernández-Mazuecos
Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain. web
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Tamara-1-scaled.jpg)
Tamara Villaverde
King Juan Carlos University, Spain. web
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Juan-Larrain.jpg)
Juan Larraín
Herbarium CONC, University of Concepción, Chile. web
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Jairo.jpeg)
Jairo Patiño
University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain. web
![Denilson F. Peralta](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Peralta-Denilson-Fernandes-2.jpg)
DENILSON F. PERALTA
Instituto de Pesquisas Ambientais, Brazil. web
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/jacques-van-rooy.jpeg)
Jacques van rooy
South African Narional Biodiversity Institute. National Herbarium. web.
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Alain-Vanderpoorten.jpg)
Alain Vanderpoorten
Institute of Botany, University of Liège, Belgium. web
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Thomas-Kiebacher.jpg)
Thomas Kiebacher
Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zurich, Switzerland. web
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Misha-Ignatov.png)
Misha Ignatov
Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia. web
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/McDaniel-1.jpg)
Stuart McDaniel
University of Florida, USA. web
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/gburleigh.jpg)
Gordon Burleigh
University of Florida, USA. web
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/MattJohnson_moss_cropped.jpeg)
Matt Johnson
Texas Tech University, USA. web
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Ruben-G-Mateo.jpg)
Rubén G. Mateo
Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain. web
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Ying-Yu2-scaled.jpg)
Ying Yu
Associate Professor at Huangshan University, China. web
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Maren-Flagmeier.jpg)
Maren FLAGMEIER
NGS technician, Spain.
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Des-Callagham.jpg)
Des Callaghan
Bryophyte Surveys Ltd. Bristol, United Kingdom. web
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/irene-Bisang-e1614776934394.jpg)
Irene Bisang
Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany. web
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Vladimir-Fedosov-1.jpg)
Vladimir Fedosov
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia. web
![](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Nagore.jpeg)
Nagore G. Medina
Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain. web
![real](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/real.png)
![MONO_Departamento-de-Botanica-Facultad-de-Ciencias-Biologicas-Universidad-de-Valencia](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MONO_Departamento-de-Botanica-Facultad-de-Ciencias-Biologicas-Universidad-de-Valencia.png)
![Membrete logo CIBC UAM](https://www.orthotree.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Membrete-logo-CIBC-UAM.png)