Dr. Julián Torres Dowdall

Postdoctoral Researcher
Marie Curie Zukunftskolleg Fellow
Department of Biology
Building M, Room M
University of Konstanz
Universitätsstr. 10
78457 Konstanz
Tel: +49 (0) 7531 884066

E-mail: julian.torres-dowdall@uni-konstanz.de
I am mainly interested in population ecology and evolution, particularly in the context of variation across space. I want to understand how different environmental factors interact to drive community structure, intra- and interspecific variation, and eventually speciation.

EDUCATION

Doctorate / Ph.D. in Zoology
Department of Biology. Colorado State University, USA
Dissertation title: Intra- and Interspecific variation along environmental gradients: Adaptation, plasticity, and range limits.
Advisor: Dr. Cameron K. Ghalambor.
August 2005 - March 2012

Master in Wildlife Management
Centro de Zoología Aplicada. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.
Dissertation title: Using stable isotopes to link seasonal habitat of neartic shorebirds..
Advisor: Dr. Adrian H. Farmer and Dr. Enrique H. Bucher.
September 2002 - February 2005

B.A. in Zoology
Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Argentina.
April 1996 - March 2002


APPOINTMENTS

2015 – 2018: Temporal Investigator Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. Host: Prof. Dr. Axel Meyer. Laboratory for Zoology and Evolutionary Biology. Department of Biology. University of Konstanz. Germany.

2013 – 2015: Marie Curie-Zukunftskolleg Incoming Fellowship. University of Konstanz, Germany

2012 – present: Post-Doctoral Researcher. University of Konstanz, Germany

2007 – 2012: Graduate Research Teaching Assistant. Colorado State University, USA

2007 – 2011: Graduate Student Teaching Assistant. Colorado State University, USA

2005 – 2007: Fulbright OAS Fellowship in Ecology. Colorado State University, USA

2002 – 2005: University of Córdoba / US Fish and Wildlife Service Fellowship in Wildlife Management. University of Córdoba, Argentina


​
PUBLICATIONS
(* equally contributing authors)
  • Härer A., Torres-Dowdall J., Meyer A. (2017). Rapid adaptation to a novel light environment: The importance of ontogeny and phenotypic plasticity in shaping the visual system of Nicaraguan Midas cichlid fish (Amphilophus citrinellus spp.). Molecular Ecology. 10.1111/mec.14289
  • Torres-Dowdall, J., Pierotti, E.J., Härer, A., Karagic, N., Wootering, J.M., Henning, F., Elmer, K.R., and A. Meyer. (2017). Rapid and parallel adaptive evolution of the visual system of Neotropical Midas cichlid fishes. Molecular Biology and Evolution. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msx143.
  • Torres-Dowdall, J.*, Golcher-Benavides, J.*, Machado-Schiaffino, G., and A. Meyer. (2017). The role of rare morph advantage and conspicuousness in the stable gold-dark colour polymorphism of a crater lake Midas cichlid fish. Journal of Animal Ecology 86:1044-1053. doi: 10.1111/1365-2656.12693
  • Fitzpatrick S.W., Handelsman C.A., Torres‐Dowdall J., Ruell E.W., Broder D., Kronenberger J.A., Reznick D.N., Ghalambor C.K., Angeloni L.M., Funk C.W. (2017). Gene Flow Constrains and Facilitates Genetically Based Divergence in Quantitative Traits. Copeia 105:462-474.    
  • Härer A., Torres-Dowdall J., Meyer A. (2017) The imperiled fish fauna in the Nicaragua Canal zone. Conservation Biology 31: 86-95. doi: 10.1111/cobi.12768
  • Machado-Schiaffino, G., Kautt, A.F.*, Torres-Dowdall, J.*, Baumgarten, L., Henning, F. and A. Meyer. (2017). Incipient speciation driven by hypertrophied lips in Midas cichlids fish? Molecular Ecology 26: 2348-2362.
  • Kautt A., Machado-Schiaffino G., Torres-Dowdall J., Meyer A. (2016) Incipient sympatric speciation in Midas cichlid fish from the youngest and one of the smallest crater lakes in Nicaragua due to differential use of the benthic and limnetic habitats? Ecology and Evolution. doi: 10.1002/ece3.2287 
  • Fitzpatrick S.W., Gerberich J.C., Angeloni L.M., Bailey L.L., Broder E.D., Torres‐Dowdall J., Handelsman C.A., López‐Sepulcre A., Reznick D.N., Ghalambor C.K. and Funk C.W. (2016). Gene flow from an adaptively divergent source causes rescue through genetic and demographic factors in two wild populations of Trinidadian guppies. Evolutionary Applications. doi: 10.1111/eva.12356
  • Verheyen E, [and 69 others, including Torres-Dowdall J.] (2016). Oil extraction imperils Africa’s Great Lakes. Science 354: 561-562.
  • Torres-Dowdall J., Henning F., Elmer K.R., Meyer A. (2015) Ecological and lineage specific factors drive the molecular evolution of rhodopsin in cichlid fishes. Molecular Biology and Evolution 32: 2876-2882. doi: 10.1093/molbev/msv159 .
  • Handelsman C.A., Ruell E.W., Torres-Dowdall J., Ghalambor C.K. (2014) Phenotypic plasticity changes correlations of traits following experimental introductions of Trinidadian Guppies (Poecilia reticulata). Integrative and Comparative Biology, doi:10.1093/icb/icu112 .
  • Torres-Dowdall J., Machado-Schiaffino G., Kautt A.F., Kusche H., Meyer A. (2014) Differential predation on colour morphs of Nicaraguan Crater lake Midas cichlid fish: implications for the maintenance of gold-normal polymorphism. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 112: 123-131.
  • Fitzpatrick S.W., Torres-Dowdall J., Reznick D.N., Ghalambor C.K., Funk C. (2014) Parallelism Isn’t Perfect: Could Disease and Flooding Drive a Life-History Anomaly in Trinidadian Guppies? The American Naturalist 183: 290-300.
  • Torres-Dowdall J., Dargent F., Handelsman C.A., Ramnarine I.W., Ghalambor C.K. (2013) Ecological correlates of the distribution limits of two poeciliid species across a salinity gradient. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 108: 790-805.
  • Dargent F., Torres-Dowdall J.,Scott M.E., Ramnarine I.W., Fussmann G.F. (2013) Can mixed-species groups reduce individual parasite load? A field test with two closely related Poeciliid fishes (Poecilia reticulata and Poecilia picta). PLoS one: 8(2):e56789.
  • Torres-Dowdall J., Handelsman C.A., Reznick D.N., Ghalambor C.K. (2012) Local adaptation and the evolution of phenotypic plasticity in Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata). Evolution 66: 3432-3443.
  • Torres-Dowdall J., Handelsman C.A., Ruell E., Auer S.K., Reznick D.N., Ghalambor C.K. (2012) Fine scale local adaptation in life histories along a continuous environmental gradient in Trinidadian guppies. Functional Ecology 26: 616-627.
  • Echevarria A.L., Lobo Allende I.R., Juri M.D., Chani J.M., Torres-Dowdall J., Martín E. (2011) Composición, estructura y variación estacional de la comunidad de aves del Jardín Botánico de la Fundación Miguel Lillo, Tucumán, Argentina. Acta Zool. Lilloana 55(1):123-136.
  • Torres-Dowdall J., Farmer A.H., Abril M., Bucher E.H., Ridley I. (2010) Trace elements have limited utility for studying migratory connectivity in shorebirds that winter in Argentina. Condor: 112(3): 490-498.
  • Torres-Dowdall J., Farmer A.H., Bucher E.H., Rye R.O., & Landis G. (2009) Population variation in the isotopic composition of shorebirds feathers: implications for determine molting grounds. Waterbirds: 32(2): 300-310.
  • Farmer A.H., Cade B.S, & Torres-Dowdall J. (2008) Fundamental limits to the accuracy of deuterium basemaps for identifying the spatial origin of birds. Oecologia: 158: 183-192.
  • Strum K.M., Alfaro M., Haase B, Hooper M.J., Johnson K.A., Lanctot R.B., Lesterhuis A.J., López L., Matz A.C., Morales C., Paulson B, Sandercock B.K., Torres-Dowdall J., & Zaccagnini M.E. (2008) Plasma cholinesterase for monitoring pesticide exposure in neotropical migratory shorebirds. Ornitologia Neotropical: 19:641-651.
  • Echevarria A, Chani J, Lobo I, Juri MD, Torres-Dowdall J, Martin E, Tribulo E. (2007). Aves del Jardín Botánico de la Fundación Miguel Lillo. Fundación Miguel Lillo, Tucumán, Argentina.
  • Torres-Dowdall J, Osorio F. & Suárez G.M. (2007). Materiales utilizados por el Picaflor Rubí (Sephanoides sephaniodes) para la construcción de nidos en la Selva Valdiviana, Chile. Ornitologia Neotropical 18:433-437.
  • Osinaga Acosta O, Torres-Dowdall J, Martin E, Lazcano E & Bucher E. (2007). Aves Playeras (Shorebirds). In Bañados del Río Dulce y Laguna Mar Chiquita. (E Bucher eds). Chapter 16: 263-275. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.
  • Torres-Dowdall J, A Farmer; EH Bucher. (2006). Uso de isótopos estables para determinar conectividad migratoria en aves: Posibilidades y limitaciones (Using stable isotopes to determine migratory connectivity in birds: possibilities and limitations). El Hornero 21(2): 73-84, Argentina.
  • Edelaar P., Torres-Dowdall J., & Abril M. (2005). Probable first record of a drinking seedsnipe (Family Thinocoridae) in the wild. WSG Bulletin 106: 62-63.
  • Farmer A, Abril M, Fernandez M, Torres J, Kester C & Bern C. (2004). Using stable isotopes to associate migratory shorebirds with their wintering locations in Argentina. Ornitología Neotropical 15: 377-384.


GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS
  • 2016. Young Scholar Fund (FP 794/15 Torres-Dowdall) "Molecular evolution of color vision in Neotropical cichlid fishes" € 37,500.
  • 2015 – 2018: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG TO914/2-1) “Does side matter? The evolution of asymmetric genitalia in livebearing fish” € 324,400.
  • 2014 – 2015: Zufunftkolleg Co-Funding Grant. University of Konstanz. “Effects of early life stress in patterns of gene expression in a livebearing fish” € 7,300
  • 2010 – 2011: National Science Foundation, DEB- Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant, “Ecological aspects of species distribution limits: interaction of biotic and abiotic factors” J. Torres-Dowdall and C.K. Ghalambor US$ 12,919.
  • 2010: Society for the Study of Evolution Travel Award, US$500. 2010 Department of Biology Travel Award, Colorado State University, US$500.
  • 2009: U.S. Fulbright Commission, "Creating Regional Partnerships in the America’s" Grant, US$ 2,000.
  • 2009: Department of Biology Travel Award, Colorado State University, US$400.
  • 2005: Fulbright Commission, US$ 80,000.

TEACHING

University of Konstanz
  • 2013-2016    Vertiefungskurs Molecular Evolutionary Biology. Lectures: “Experimental design and the Scientific method” and “Evolutionary ecology”.
  • 2013-2015    Evolutionary Biology. Invited lecture: “Sexual Selection and Life History Evolution”.
  • Organisationsformen des Tierreichs. Spring 2013. In collaboration with Christoph Kleineidam.

Colorado State University
  • LIFE103. Biology of Organisms. Fall 2010, 2011.
  • BZ110. Principles of Animal Biology. Professor: Cameron Ghalambor and Dhruba Naug. Fall 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
  • BZ111. Animal Biology Laboratory. Fall 2008.
  • ECOL600. Population and Community Ecology. Professor: Kurt Fausch. Fall 2007.

Argentina
  • Entomology Undergraduate Student Assistant. Professor Mercedes Lizarre de Grosso. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. 2000-01.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Journal Reviews
  • Biological Journal of the Linnean Society; BMC Evolutionary Biology; Canadian Journal of Zoology; Colorado State University Journal of Undergraduate Research; Ecography; Ecology; ​Ecology and Evolution; Environmental Biology of Fishes; Ethology; Frontiers in Zoology; Functional Ecology; Hydrobiologia; Iheringia Série Zoologia; Integrative and Comparative Biology; PLoS ONE; ​Scientific reports; Springer Plus; Zoological Science.

Mentoring
Master Thesis
  • 2015 Jimena Golcher-Benavides. “Predator feeding preferences and implications of selective predation on the stability of a color polymorphism in Nicaraguan Midas cichlids”. University of Konstanz. (Current position: PhD. Student at University of Wyoming, Wyoming, USA.)
Bachelor Honour Thesis
  • 2015 Ann-Katherin Müller. “Linking stress-related behaviour to pituitary gene expression across the phylogeny of live-bearing fish (Poeciliidae).” University of Konstanz.
  • 2014 Sina Julia Rometsch. “Asymmetric syndromes in fishes: are morphological asymmetry and behavior laterality integrated?” University of Konstanz. (Current position: Master Student at University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.)
Students Internships
  • 2015 Dan Popa. Project: “Differential hemoglobin gene expression in livebearing fish.” Vertiefungskurs Molecular Evolutionary Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz. Germany.
  • 2015 Marvin Kaupp. Project: “Plasticity in opsin gene expression in Midas cichlids.” Co-advisor. Vertiefungskurs Molecular Evolutionary Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz. Germany.
  • 2014 Sina Julia Rometsch. Project: “Sexual dimorphism in visual sensitivity of colourful cichlids.” Co-advisor. Vertiefungskurs Molecular Evolutionary Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz. Germany.
  • 2013 Anja Heubach.. Project: “Opsin Evolution in Neotropical Cichlids.”  Vertiefungskurs Molecular Evolutionary Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz. Germany.
  • NR495-Ecological Undergraduate Research Experience (2 Students). Training and supervising undergraduate students in laboratory research and animal husbandry.
  • BZ495-Ecological Undergraduate Research Experience (3 Students). Training and supervising undergraduate students in research.

Meetings
  • 2007: Coordinator of the Symposium “South American Shorebirds” 8th Neotropical Ornithological Congress 2007 Maturin, Venezuela.
  • 2006 – 2007: Front Range Student Ecology Symposium, Colorado State University
  • 2005 – 2006: Department of Biology Student Symposium, Colorado State University.

Outreach
  • Collaborated as a scientific advisor and illustrator in an educational book about marine turtles’ ecology in Uruguay. The book was published at the end of 2007 by Karumbe, Uruguay.
  • Lecturer at the “Jornadas de Identificación y Conservación de Aves Playeras” (Workshop on Identification and Conservation of Shorebirds). Aves Argentinas. Canals, Córdoba, December 2003.