The study of the dynamics of benthic systems requires the analysis of population structure and connectivity between populations, as well as the processes that originated the present-day distribution of the species and the evolution in particular groups. The use of molecular markers emerges as the most informative tool to analyse these patterns.

Our group is active in the study of the genetic structure and gene flow of diverse species of sponges, ascidians and echinoderms, using mtDNA and nDNA sequence data and microsatellites. Special attention is given to the study of connectivity and gene flow between Atlantic and Mediterranean , as well as the analysis of temporal genetic structure in species with identifiable cohorts.