Our Lab Members
Professor Shai Meiri
Lab Technician
Erez Maza
e-mail: mazaerez@post.tau.ac.il
Post Doctoral fellows
Dr. Yuval Itescu
Yuval is doing his postdoc at the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History on the taxonomy and ecology of Echis coloratus
Yuval did his MSc. (turtle Macroecology; October 2010-December 2012) in the lab before moving to a Ph.D. studying Island biogeography of reptiles in the Greek islands (co supervisor: Prof. Panayiotis Pafilis) - the effect of island characteristics on insular fauna
e-mail: yuvitescu@gmail.com
Yuval did his MSc. (turtle Macroecology; October 2010-December 2012) in the lab before moving to a Ph.D. studying Island biogeography of reptiles in the Greek islands (co supervisor: Prof. Panayiotis Pafilis) - the effect of island characteristics on insular fauna
e-mail: yuvitescu@gmail.com
Ph.D. Students
Alex Slavenko
Since October 2013
Biogeography and evolution of the herpetofauna of Papua New Guinea across elevational gradients. (co-supervisor: Dr. Allen Alison, Bishop Museum, Hawaii)
e-mail: gluttony14@gmail.com
Biogeography and evolution of the herpetofauna of Papua New Guinea across elevational gradients. (co-supervisor: Dr. Allen Alison, Bishop Museum, Hawaii)
e-mail: gluttony14@gmail.com
Michaela Kolker
Since October 2016
Early life history of Israeli Fish.
(co-supervisor: Dr. Roi Holtzman, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University)
e-mail: kolkermi@mail.tau.ac.il
Rachel Schwarz
PhD: Since January 2017.
Aspects into the relationship between habitats and lizards Eco-physiological, morphological and behavioral traits (co supervisor: Prof. David Chapple).
MSc: 2014-2016
During my master, my research focus was on: Island biogeography of reptiles in the Greek islands (co supervisor: Prof. Panayiotis Pafilis)
e-mail: rachelschwarz13@gmail.com
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rachel_Schwarz
Aspects into the relationship between habitats and lizards Eco-physiological, morphological and behavioral traits (co supervisor: Prof. David Chapple).
MSc: 2014-2016
During my master, my research focus was on: Island biogeography of reptiles in the Greek islands (co supervisor: Prof. Panayiotis Pafilis)
e-mail: rachelschwarz13@gmail.com
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rachel_Schwarz
Guy Sinaiko
PhD: Since March 2018
I conduct a revision of the leafhopper genus Neoaliturus Distant in Israel, a genus which contains vectors of several plant diseases. Nine species are known to reside in Israel, three of which are considered species complexes, comprising an unknown number of species. My goal is resolving the taxonomy and phylogeny using an
integrative taxonomic approach including behavioral, molecular and morphological analyses.
MSc. 2014-2017
Taxonomy and phylogeny of racers (Platyceps "rhodorachis" complex)
(co-supervisor: Dr. Roi Dor, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University)
e-mail: guysinaiko@mail.tau.ac.il
I conduct a revision of the leafhopper genus Neoaliturus Distant in Israel, a genus which contains vectors of several plant diseases. Nine species are known to reside in Israel, three of which are considered species complexes, comprising an unknown number of species. My goal is resolving the taxonomy and phylogeny using an
integrative taxonomic approach including behavioral, molecular and morphological analyses.
MSc. 2014-2017
Taxonomy and phylogeny of racers (Platyceps "rhodorachis" complex)
(co-supervisor: Dr. Roi Dor, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University)
e-mail: guysinaiko@mail.tau.ac.il
M.Sc. Students
Simon Jamison
M.Sc. Since October 2015
Natural history of little Israeli reptiles
Simon studies the biology of Ophiomorus latastii, Ablepharus ruepellii, Chalcides guentheri, Eirenis decemlineatus, Eirenis lineomaculatus & Micrelaps muelleri.
And he cannot talk to you about it, he is in the field (always)
e-mail: simonjamison@mail.tau.ac.il
M.Sc. Since October 2015
Natural history of little Israeli reptiles
Simon studies the biology of Ophiomorus latastii, Ablepharus ruepellii, Chalcides guentheri, Eirenis decemlineatus, Eirenis lineomaculatus & Micrelaps muelleri.
And he cannot talk to you about it, he is in the field (always)
e-mail: simonjamison@mail.tau.ac.il
David David
M.Sc. since October 2016
Captive breeding and conservation of the Spadefoot toad, Pelobates syriacus
Co-supervisor: Sarig Gafny (Rupin)
e-mail: davidavid6@walla.co.il
Captive breeding and conservation of the Spadefoot toad, Pelobates syriacus
Co-supervisor: Sarig Gafny (Rupin)
e-mail: davidavid6@walla.co.il
Gavin Stark
Adva (Olga) Peretz
M.Sc. since October 2017
Archaeozoology and ecology of the water vole (Arvicola amphibious)
e-mail: advap70@gmail.com
Gali Ofer
M.Sc. since March 2018
GARD 2.0 - Update the Global Assessment of reptile distributions to be wider and reliable, GIS expert
e-mail: galiofer@mail.tau.ac.il
GARD 2.0 - Update the Global Assessment of reptile distributions to be wider and reliable, GIS expert
e-mail: galiofer@mail.tau.ac.il
Alumni
Dr. Enav Vidan
Since October 2013
Functional diversity and conservation of reptiles across scales (co supervisor: Dr. Yoni Belmaker, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University)
e-mail: enavidan@gmail.com
Functional diversity and conservation of reptiles across scales (co supervisor: Dr. Yoni Belmaker, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University)
e-mail: enavidan@gmail.com
Dr. Maria Novosolov
Since October 2012-September 2017 (MSc. Since October 2010)
Evolution of life history traits in island endemic lizards and their comparison to the mainland.
e-mail: marianovosolov@gmail.com
Evolution of life history traits in island endemic lizards and their comparison to the mainland.
e-mail: marianovosolov@gmail.com
Oliver Tallowin
October 2013-October 2017
My interests lie in reptile ecology, biogeography and conservation.
I am particularly interested in the herpetofauna of New Guinea
and conducting computer based modelling to elucidate patterns
in species richness, range size and turnover. I also conduct field
research in Papua New Guinea and intend to assess the effect
of elevational gradients on reptile life history traits.
(co supervisor: Dr. Allen Allison, Bishop Museum, Hawaii)
e-mail: ollyjst@gmail.com
My interests lie in reptile ecology, biogeography and conservation.
I am particularly interested in the herpetofauna of New Guinea
and conducting computer based modelling to elucidate patterns
in species richness, range size and turnover. I also conduct field
research in Papua New Guinea and intend to assess the effect
of elevational gradients on reptile life history traits.
(co supervisor: Dr. Allen Allison, Bishop Museum, Hawaii)
e-mail: ollyjst@gmail.com
Dr. Karin Tamar
In the lab: 2010-2017
Karin has moved to Barcelona for a postdoc with Salvador Carranza! (IBE-CSIC-UPF, Barcelona, Spain)
e-mail: karintmr@gmail.com
Karin has moved to Barcelona for a postdoc with Salvador Carranza! (IBE-CSIC-UPF, Barcelona, Spain)
e-mail: karintmr@gmail.com
Dr. Anat Feldman
October 2010 - August 2016
Snake macroecology
e-mail: anatfeld@post.tau.ac.il
Lior Davis (M.Sc.)
October 2013 - February 2016
Character displacement in shorebirds and raptors
(co-supervisor: Tamar Dayan)
e-mail: liordavis@yahoo.com
Character displacement in shorebirds and raptors
(co-supervisor: Tamar Dayan)
e-mail: liordavis@yahoo.com
Yuval Baar (M.Sc.)
October 2013 - February 2016
size changes with time and temperature and global warming in insects (co supervisor: Inon Sharf, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University)
e-mail: yuvalb1987@gmail.com
size changes with time and temperature and global warming in insects (co supervisor: Inon Sharf, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University)
e-mail: yuvalb1987@gmail.com
Amir Lewin
October 2013 - October 2015
Macroecology of distribution patterns in African lizards
e-mail: amirlewin@hotmail.com
Amir is doing his PhD inTakuya Iwaura lab!
Macroecology of distribution patterns in African lizards
e-mail: amirlewin@hotmail.com
Amir is doing his PhD inTakuya Iwaura lab!
Dr. Alison Gainsbury (Postdoc)
August 2014 - August 2015
Global associations between climate, net primary productivity and lizard diet.
e-mail: alisongains@gmail.com
nowadays: Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Southern Florida
Global associations between climate, net primary productivity and lizard diet.
e-mail: alisongains@gmail.com
nowadays: Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Southern Florida
Daniel Berkowic (M.Sc.)
October 2009 - February 2011
Co-evolution of size and egg size in cuckoos and their hosts (co-advisor: Shai Markman, University of Haifa at Oranim)
e-mail: berko109@gmail.com
Daniel is doing a PhD with Roi Dor, Nir Sapir and Yossi Leshem. Something to do with black kites, we think.
Co-evolution of size and egg size in cuckoos and their hosts (co-advisor: Shai Markman, University of Haifa at Oranim)
e-mail: berko109@gmail.com
Daniel is doing a PhD with Roi Dor, Nir Sapir and Yossi Leshem. Something to do with black kites, we think.
Lital Dabool (M.Sc.)
October 2010 - March 2013
The “Island Syndrome” and reproductive strategies of squamates: a study of two biomes.
e-mail: litald2@gmail.com
Currently a Ph.D. student at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology
The “Island Syndrome” and reproductive strategies of squamates: a study of two biomes.
e-mail: litald2@gmail.com
Currently a Ph.D. student at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology
Amy Kadison (M.Sc.)
October 2011 - April 2014
Community assembly, resources and size extremes of island vertebrates. (co supervisor: Pasquale Raia, Università Federico II, Napoli, Italy).
e-mail: oh.how.amyrocks@gmail.com
Currently an M.Sc. student of Viticulture and Oenology in Europe.
Community assembly, resources and size extremes of island vertebrates. (co supervisor: Pasquale Raia, Università Federico II, Napoli, Italy).
e-mail: oh.how.amyrocks@gmail.com
Currently an M.Sc. student of Viticulture and Oenology in Europe.
Maya Spivak (M.Sc.)
October 2009 - December 2014
Taxonomy and phylogeny of Israeli shrews (co supervisor: Dorothee Huchon, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University)
e-mail: maya.spiv@gmail.com
Taxonomy and phylogeny of Israeli shrews (co supervisor: Dorothee Huchon, Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University)
e-mail: maya.spiv@gmail.com