We are trying to unveal some basic parameters in the conservation of freshwater fish species, particularly for threatened ones. We study their abundance and distribution patterns, biological strategies, ecology, life cycles and all elements involved in the elaboration of a conservation plan. We get help from the application molecular genetics techniques to determine operational conservation units and the setting of prioritary of critical areas. We are opening new lines of research in restoration of river habitats and the monitoring of reintroduced fishes. We have worked on Salaria fluviatilis, Barbatula quignardi and Cobitis paludica.

We are analysing alterations in the natural behaviour of local fishes caused by environmental disturbances such as pollution, habitat fragmentation and, particularly, the introduction of foreign species. We intend on understanding the success of exotic invasive species (settlement and expansion) through elements such as innovation capability, use of space, agonistic interactions and all that involving a modification of the natural behaviour of local species. We study the reproductive behaviour of autoctonous fishes, particularly threatened ones, with the aim of optimizing future actions in conservation. Particularly, we focus our research on the selection of egg-laying spots and nesting requirements, factors involved in partner selection, reproductive strategies, morphological plasticity of courtship and benefits of parental care for the survival of egglays. We are interested in factors that may have favoured the appearance of secondary sexual characters in males and pressures that may have directed the evolution of sexual reproduction. We are studying the role of intrasexual interaction in the selection of females. We have worked on Parachondrostoma miegii, endemic to the Ebre river and in obvious regression, and on Alburnus alburnus, an exotic species expanding in the same basin. Our favourite species for reproductive behaviour studies have been so far Salaria fluviatilis and Xiphophorus hellerii.

We are working on the study of the preservation of natural behaviour in captivity and factors involved in successful reintroductions in natural habitats. We are analysing factors favouring aberrant behaviours in animals kept in artificial habitats (zoo, aquarium) and assessing the efectiveness of environmental enrichment programmes in the improvement of animal confort. We have worked on large mammals (Ursus arctos and Tursiops truncatus); right now, we have started working on mangabeis (Cercocebus sp.).