Gianluca Polgar

Professional qualifications:

• 2004
  Laurea degree in Natural Sciences, Univ. of Rome "La Sapienza".
  Thesis title (ecology): "Adaptations to the intertidal environment of some Malaysian species of genera Periophthalmus, Periophthalmodon and Boleophthalmus (Pisces, Gobiidae, Oxudercinae, Periophthalmini): ecological researches and design of a rearing device for observation under semi-natural conditions" (summa cum laude; supervisor: Prof. L. Bullini, Dep. of Genetics and Molecular Biology "Charles Darwin").
  Second thesis (attuopaleontology): "Taxonomic analysis and facies of the foraminifers' associations of the western Peninsular Malaysia" (supervisor: Prof. J. Pignatti, Dep. of Earth Sciences)




• 1998
  Certificate of Proficiency in English, Univ. of Cambridge

Present position and professional affiliation:

• 2004-
  Ph.D. student in Ecological Sciences, Univ. of Rome "La Sapienza".
  Ph.D. project title: "Ecology and evolution of oxudercines gobies (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae) through the sea-land transition" (tutor: Prof. G. Ardizzone, Dep. of Human and Animal Biology, Inst. of Zoology)

Grants and professional assignments:

• 2007 (Feb)
  Contract for molecular analyses on the phylogeography of two species of mudskippers, stipulated with the Univ. of Padova, Padova, Italy
  
  

• 2006
  Winner of the photographic contest of the BES (British Ecological Society): " Celebrating Ecology Photographic Competition 2006", in the categories "Ecology and Society" 849/1055 and Student Category" 849/1507
  
  

• 2006 (Jun)
  Contract for taxonomic analyses of 23 samples of Indonesian foraminiferans, stipulated with the Department of Earth Sciences, Univ. of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
  
  

• 2005
  Grant for a bilateral project Italy-Indonesia in collaboration with Prof. G. Bavestrello (Univ. Politecnica delle Marche, Dep. of Marine Sciences): "Bio-diversity and its Seasonal Variant in the Bunaken Marine Park, North Sulawesi" (Scientific and Technological Co-operation Between the Italian Republic and the Republic of Indonesia, 2004-2007)
  
  

• 2004
  Ph.D. grant. Doctoral School of Ecological Sciences, University of the Studies of Rome "La Sapienza". Coordinator, Prof. C. Blasi
  
  

Address:

Gianluca Polgar
Ph.D. student
c/o Prof. G. Ardizzone
Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza"
Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e dell'Uomo
Viale dell'Università, 32
00185 Rome (RM), Italy
HP: 3488851198

E-mail: themudskipper@xxxalfanet.it (remove "xxx" before writing - antispam trick)

Institutional web site: Dip. di Biol. Animale e dell'Uomo

Research interests:

Devonian sea-land transition in vertebrates; evolutionary ecology of tropical intertidal ecosystems (mud flats and mangrove ecosystems); morphological and molecular systematics of gobiids (Teleostei: Perciformes: Gobiidae); popularization of science

Membership of professional bodies:

ASIH - American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists; BES - British Ecological Society; IGS - The International Goby Society; ISEB - Italian Society of Evolutionary Biologists; SFI - Société Française d'Ichtyologie; SICB - Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology

Research activity, field surveys, courses:

• 2007 (10th October - 8th November)
  Visiting researcher at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT, host of Dr. H.K. Larson) to study the ichthyological collection and make a short survey on the biodiversity and ecology of oxudercine gobies in the area of Darwin harbour. Darwin, NT, Australia

  
  

• 2007 (7th September - 8th October)
  Visitor to the Environmental Department of the Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML, host of Dr. C. Tenakenai and Dr. M. Rau) to make a preliminary survey on the biodiversity and ecology of oxudercine gobies in the lower tract and delta of the Fly River. Western Province, Papua New Guinea

  
  

• 2007 (3-5th July)
  Visit to the National Museum of Natural History in Leiden (Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum) to examine the historical collection of oxudercine type material. Leiden, The Netherlands

  
  

• 2007 (19-24th Apr)
  Preliminary observations on mudskippers' populations of Periophthalmus, Boleophthalmus and Scartelaos spp. in intertidal areas of Bandar Khamir and Qeshm Island. In collaboration with Prof. E. Kamrani, Univ. di Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan, Iran

  
  

• 2007 (7th-21st Feb)
  Laboratory research as a visitor of the Department of Biology of the Univ. of Padova, in collaboration with Prof. T. Patarnello and Dr. L. Zane, for a research on the molecular phylogeography of two widely distributed species of the genus Periophthalmus

  
  

• 2006 (18th Aug-15th Nov)
  "Ecology and evolution in different groups of animal species living in mangrove and adjacent ecosystems of Peninsular Malaysia".
  Visiting student, biological collections and ecological researches (Perak, Johor), in collaboration with Prof. J. Pignatti (Dep. of Earth Sc., Univ. of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy); with Dr. A. Sasekumar and Prof. V.C. Chong (Institute for Postgraduate Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur); and with Mr. Harban Singh and Mrs. Lili Tokiman (Kukup and Tanjung Piai Taman Negara, Johor National Parks Corporation, Johor, Malaysia)

  
  

• 2006 (17th-21st July)
  Training Course in Statistical Methodologies for the Environment, Caprarola. Organized by: Dr. Jona Lasino G., Univ. of Rome "La Sapienza", Italy; Dr. Ippoliti L., Univ. of Chieti-Pescara, Italy; Dr. Fassò A., Univ. of Bergamo, Italy; Dr. Trivisano C., Univ. of Bologna, Italy and Dr. Lagona F., Univ. of Roma 3, Italy
  

  
  

• 2006 (24th June-1st July)
  International Workshop in Evolutionary Biology, Guarda. Organized by: Dr. Ebert D., Univ. of Basel, Switzerland; Dr. Kawecki T., Univ. of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland; Dr. Bonhoeffer S., ETH, Zürich, Switzerand; Dr. Read A., Univ. of Edinburgh, UK; Dr. Du Pasquier L., Univ. of Basel, Switzerland

  
  

• 2006 (May)
  Laboratory research as a visitor of the Department of Biology of the Univ. of Padova, in collaboration with Prof. T. Patarnello and Dr. L. Zane, for a preliminary investigation of the molecular phylogeography of two widely distributed species of the genus Periophthalmus

  
  

• 2006 (Mar-Apr)
  Laboratory work in collaboration with Prof. J. Pignatti and Prof. R. Matteucci, Department of Earth Sciences of the University of Rome "La Sapienza", on the foraminiferan taxa (Protista: Foraminiferida) present along the intertidal and subtidal gradient of tropical coastal areas of Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia (Nord Sulawesi)

  
  

• 2006 (23rd Feb- 19th Mar)
  Laboratory research as a visitor of the Natural History Museum, London, in collaboration with Dr. L. Rüber, to learn and apply molecular techniques (mtDNA) to the study of the phylogeny of oxudercine gobies

  
  

• 2005 (Sep-Oct)
  Field collection and ecological researches in mangrove ecosystems of North Sulawesi in collaboration with Prof. G. Bavestrello (Univ. Politecnica delle Marche, Dep. of Marine Sciences), Dr. M. Boyer (Marine Biology Laboratory, Siladen) and Prof. F. Boneka (Univ. Sam Ratulangi, Manado)

  
  

• 2004-2005
  Laboratory research in the laboratories of Prof. L. Bullini, Dep. of Gen. and Mol. Biol., Univ. "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy to learn protein electrophoretic techniques applied to phylogenetic studies

  
  

• 1996 (Aug)
  Visiting student at the Institute of Biological Sciences (Department of Zoology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur); guest: Prof. A. Sasekumar

  
  

• 1992 (3rd-8th Aug)
  Field course in Mammology held by the Parks and Forests Service of the Independent Province of Trento, Forestal Studies Centre of Viote, Trento, Italy

Peer reviewed publications:

• Polgar G. (2008) Species-Area relationship and potential role as a biomonitor of mangrove communities of Malayan mudskippers - Wetlands Ecology and Management, DOI: 10.1007/s11273-008-9090-x (http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11273-008-9090-x)




• Polgar G. & Khaironizam M.Z. (in press) - First record of Periophthalmus walailakae (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae) from Peninsular Malaysia - Cybium




• Polgar G. & Crosa G. (in press) - Habitat aquaticity and differentiation in mudskippers (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae). First steps of a vertebrate eco-evolutionary transition from water to land - Ecology and Evolutionary Research




• Polgar G. (in prep.) Notes on measurements of morphological characters in small teleosts, with particular reference to the genus Periophthalmus (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae)

Invited book chapters:

• Croce, A. (ed), 2007. Animali Esotici da Compagnia - AGGIORNAMENTO E INTEGRAZIONE - Manuali Pratici di Veterinaria [ Exotic Animals and Pets - UPDATE AND INTEGRATION - Practical Manuals for Veterinaries ]. Poletto Editore; chapters:

  Polgar G. & Colla M. – Animali esotici “non vertebrati” in acquario e in paludario [ Exotic "Non Vertebrate" Animals in the Aquarium and Paludarium ]

  Salvadori M., Polgar G. & Croce A. – Acquario tropicale d’acqua dolce e marina. Acquari e malattie [ Tropical Freshwater and Marine Aquarium. Aquaria and Diseases ]

  Croce A., Polgar G. & Salvadori M. – Caratteristiche delle specie allevate come animali da compagnia - Classificazione e schede tecniche [ Characteristics of the species reared as pets - Classification and Technical Files ]

  Carrozza M. & Polgar G. – Malattie dei pesci - Malattie da fattori ambientali [ Fish diseases - Diseases Caused by Environmental Factors ]

  Croce A. & Polgar G. – Patologia della vescica del gas: osservazioni [ Pathology of the Gas Bladder: Observations ]

Popular literature publications:

• Dalla Valle A. & Polgar G., 2005 - Pesci fuor d'acqua [ Fish out of water ] - Aqua, 215: 120-127

  
  

• Polgar G., 2007 - The Mudskipper (Expert quote). In: C. Raume & L. Harrison (eds) - The 10 Greatest Wonders of Nature - Oakville, Ont. Rubicon Publ. Inc.

  
  

Contributed workshops, symposia, seminars, lectures :

• 2008 (17-26th February)
  "Ecology and evolution of mangrove ecosystems and tropical tidal flats". Three lessons for the 1st Level Master in “Tropical Marine Biodiversity and Natural Products” (Module 1: study of biodiversity). Promoted by the Politechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy and by the University Sam Ratulangi of Manado, Sulawesi, Indonesia. Siladen, Indonesia

  
  

• 2007 (22-26th October)
  Fratini S. (1), Baratti M. (2), Barbisan F. (3), Cannicci S. (1), Messana G. (2), Patarnello T. (3), Polgar G. (3), Ragionieri L. (1), Zane L. (3) & Vannini M. (1)
  (1): Department of Animal Biology and Genetics of the University of Florence, Italy (2): ISE-CNR, Florence, Italy (3): Department of Biology, University of Padua, Italy
  "Multispecies approach to phylogegraphy of WIO mangrove fauna" (poster and presentation). Fifth WIOMSA Scientific Symposium of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA). Durban, South Africa

  
  

• 2007 (5th October)
  "Mudskippers of the Fly River delta: human use and biomonitoring" (invited speech, guest: Dr. C. Tenakenai). Environmental department of the Ok Tedi Mining Limited, Tabubil, WP, Papua New Guinea

  
  

• 2007 (7th June)
  "An ecological and evolutionary model of tropical intertidal areas: oxudercine gobies" (invited speech, PhD course in Analysis, Protection and Management of Biodiversity; guest: Prof. G. Crosa). Univ. of Studies of Insubria, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze Molecolari, Varese, Italia

  
  

• 2007 (14-15th May)
  "Mangrove Ecosystems: Economic Value, Anthropogenic Impact, Management and Sustainability"; "Evolutionary Ecology of Mangrove Ecosystems and Tropical Tidal Flats 1,2". Three lessons for the 1st level "Master for Scientific Disseminators of Nature (ISN). Marine Environments: Mediterranean Sea and Tropics". Promoted by the University of Milano Bicocca, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Milan, Italy. Milan, Italy

  
  

• 2007 (21-23rd April)
  "Ecology and Ethology of Mudskippers (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae) in the coastlines of Persian Gulf". Workshop (guest: Prof. E. Kamrani). University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran
  Download workshop summary:

  
  

• 2007 (7th March)
  "Amphibious gobies (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae). Morphological taxonomy and molecular phylogeny, molecular phylogeography and habitat distribution: methods and preliminary results" (invited speech, guest: Prof. M. Cobolli), Univ. of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy

  
  

• 2007 (15th, 20th February)
  "An ecological and evolutionary model for tropical intertidal areas: oxudercine gobies" (two invited speeches, guest: Prof. P. Galli), Univ. of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy

  
  

• 2007 (24th January)
  "I ‘saltafango’ (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae): primi passi verso una nuova invasione delle terre emerse?" (The mudskippers (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae): first steps towards a new invasion of land?) (invited speech, guest: Prof. A. Vigna-Taglianti and Prof. M. Cobolli), Univ. of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy

  
  

• 2006 (21-24th August)
  "Impact of mangrove deforestation on the diversity of Malaysian oxudercine gobies (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae). Preliminary observations and future research" (short paper and poster). International Conference and Exhibition on Mangroves of Indian and Western Pacific Ocean (ICEMAN 2006), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  Download poster:

  
  

• 2006 (7th June)
  "Mudskippers (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae): ecologia ed adattamenti all’ambiente subaereo" (Mudskippers (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae): Ecology and Adaptations to the Subaerial Environment) (invited speech, guest: Prof. P. Galli), Univ. of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy

  
  

• 2006 (29th May)
  "Ecologia ed evoluzione degli ecosistemi a mangrovie" (Mangrove Ecology and Evolution) (invited speech, guest: Dr. L. Congiu), Univ. of Padova, Padova, Italy

  
  

• 2005 (16th September)
  "Mangrove Ecology and Evolution" (invited speech, guest: Prof. F. Boneka); annual meeting of the Marine Biological Station of the Sam Ratulangi Univ. of Manado, Likupang, North Sulawesi

  
  

• 2005 (22-26th August)
  "Ecology and evolution of oxudercine gobies (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae) and of Devonian protoamphibians: convergent pathways to terrestriality?" (poster). 1st Congress of Italian Evolutionary Biologists, Univ. of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy