Willians Porto

I am a Brazilian biologist passionate about unraveling the diversity of arachnids, with a special focus on harvestmen of the family Triaenonychidae. My research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of taxonomic characteristics in species delimitation, using an integrative approach that combines morphological and molecular data to advance our understanding of the systematics and evolution of these groups. Additionally, I am interested in identifying new traits that can elucidate the complexity and diversity of species within this fascinating group of harvestmen.

Currently, my project at the MCZ involves revising the Opiliones of the family Triaenonychidae from South Africa, which will contribute to a deeper understanding of their taxonomy and distribution. With experience in curating arachnids in scientific collections in Brazil and Argentina, I recognize the fundamental role that biological collections play in advancing biodiversity knowledge. I am equally enthusiastic about both laboratory work and field activities, which allows me to integrate modern molecular analysis techniques with detailed morphological studies. My goal is to review and describe new species, exploring diverse habitats wherever harvestmen are found, contributing to the global understanding of this group.