Jonathan Pereira Miller, PhD

📧 jonathan.p.miller1983 at gmail.com
📧 jonathanmiller at mncn.csic.es
đŸ“± +34 914111328 ext. 443592

National Museum of Natural Sciences, Spain
Department: Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology
Calle José Gutierrez Abascal, 2, Madrid, 28006, Spain

Profile

Biology PhD with a strong research background in the taxonomy, systematics, and evolutionary biogeography of freshwater and terrestrial molluscs, with a particular focus on the family Hydrobiidae. My work integrates classical morphological approaches with molecular phylogenetics, geometric morphometrics, micro-CT scanning, and histological techniques to delimit species and clarify complex evolutionary lineages. Throughout my academic career, I have described several new taxa, contributed to resolving taxonomic ambiguities in Iberian and Macaronesian faunas, and participated in collaborative international projects. I have extensive experience in biodiversity assessment, natural history collections management, and scientific communication, with multiple publications in peer-reviewed journals. My research aims to bridge the gap between traditional malacology and modern integrative taxonomy, contributing to the broader understanding of evolutionary processes and species conservation. I am also actively involved in mentoring students and reviewing scientific manuscripts in my field of expertise.

Education

Oct 2015 – May 2021
Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain
PhD Biology. Phylogeny, taxonomy and distribution of the family Hydrobiidae
Madrid, Spain
Sep 2014 – Jul 2017
Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain
Master in Ecology
Madrid, Spain
Sep 2010 – Jun 2012
University of Havana, Cuba
Master in Animal Ecology and Zoology
Havana, Cuba
Sep 2003 – Jul 2008
University of Ciego de Ávila, Cuba
Agricultural Engineering
Ciego de Ávila, Cuba

Research / Work Experience

Jan 2025 – present
Malacology Collection Assistant
National Museum of Natural History, Spain

Fellowship contract PTA2023-023686-I, granted by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities of Spain, to support the Malacology Collection staff in managing incoming material, handling loans, digitizing lots, and assisting with all tasks related to the collection, as well as collaboration in exhibitions and science communication, under the supervision of Dr. José Templado.

Jan 2023 – Aug 2023
Invertebrate Collection Assistant
National Museum of Natural History, Spain

Working within the Invertebrate Collection staff, assisting and managing the incoming material, loans, digitization of lots and all the work related to the collection management, under the supervision of Dr. Consuelo Sendino.

Sep 2020 – Feb 2023
Postdoctoral Research Contract
National Museum of Natural History, Spain

Working on systematic of family Hydrobiidae (Mollusca: Caenogastropoda) with other poorly studied genera under the supervision of Dr Marian A. Ramos.

Jan 2016 – Jan 2020
PhD Student
National Museum of Natural History, Spain

Finishing my PhD thesis entitled "Systematic, biogeography and evolutionary patterns of family Hydrobiidae (Mollusca: Caenogastropoda)" under the supervision of Dr Marian A. Ramos and Dr Diana Delicado.

Sep 2017 – Dic 2017
Research Internship (FPI BES-2015-073953 grant)
Justus-Liebig-UniversitĂ€t Gießen, Germany

Training in Molecular Biology, Biogeography and Data Analysis. Supervised by Dr Tom Wilke and Dr Diana Delicado.

Oct 2014 – Jun 2015
Collaboration Grant
Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain

Department of Ecology,Madrid, Spain. Diet analysis of Dupont's Lark (Chersophilus duponti). Training on insect taxonomy. Supervised by Dr Juan Traba.

Jul – Aug 2015
Professional Training
University of Lisbon, Portugal

North Portugal professional practices, on the project “Working on the endangered freshwater mussel Margaritifera margaritifera, on ecological niche and environment”, fieldwork supervised by Dr Joaquim Reiss.

Sep 2014 – Jan 2016
International Relationship Office fellowship
Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain

Responsible for assisting and managing mobility programs for Spanish, European, and American students. Tasks include overseeing student exchanges, providing guidance and support throughout the mobility process, and facilitating academic and cultural integration for incoming and outgoing participants.

Sep 2008 – Jul 2009
Lecturer in Organic Chemistry
University of Ciego de Ávila, Cuba

Responsible for teaching the Organic Chemistry course, including delivering seminars, supervising laboratory sessions, and guiding students in practical classes. Additionally, provided teaching support in the Analytical and Instrumental Chemistry courses, particularly in hands-on lab work and practical training.

Described/Studied species

Napaeus guanche and Napaeus lipauges
Napaeus (Enidae)

Fossil species from La Mancha de la Laja, Tenerife (Miller et al. 2022).

Mercuria similis
Mercuria (Hydrobiidae)

Species described from Andalusia, Spain (Miller et al. 2023).

Mercuria similis
Mercuria (Hydrobiidae)

Species described from Spain, Tunisia and Italy (Miller et al. 2023).

Mercuria similis
Iberian Valvatiforms (Hydrobiidae)

Two new genera Beatrix and Actenidia (with one new species) (Delicado et al. 2024).

Mercuria similis
Helicella (Geomitridae)

Integrative taxonomy of Helicella madritensis (Miller 2023).

Mercuria similis
Islamia (Hydrobiidae)

Islamia arcana, first record of the genus for the Neogene in Spain (Miller 2024).

Skills & Expertise

Research Areas

Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Taxonomy, Systematics, Malacology, Speleology, Conservation Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Paleontology, Paleomalacology

Technical Skills

Geometric Morphometrics, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics (R scripting), Micro CT scanning, ESEM, Histology techniques

Analysis Methods

Species Distribution Models, Phylogenetic Analysis, Historical biogeography, Species delimitation, Biostatistics, Data Analysis

Languages

Spanish Native English C1 French A2 German A2 Italian A2 Russian A1
Mercuria similis
Skills & Expertise

Awards & Grants

Jan 2016 – Jan 2020
PTA PTA2023-023686-I

Awarded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities of Spain, to work in the Mollusks Collection at the National Museum of Natural History (MNCN-CSIC), focusing on collection management, specimens digitization, loans, and science communication.

Jan 2016 – Jan 2020
FPI contract BES-2015-073953

Linked to the Fauna Ibérica XI CGL2014-53332-C5-1-P project and Fauna Ibérica XII PGC2018-095851-B-C61, for a PhD research on "Systematic, taxonomy, biogeography and Phylogenetic on the family Hydrobiidae" at the National Museum of Natural Sciences, Spain.

2014
Collaboration Grant

Ministry of Education, Spain - Department of Ecology (Universidad AutĂłnoma de Madrid): Diet analysis of Dupont's Lark (Chersophilus duponti). Training on insect taxonomy.

2011
Premio Gustavo Furrazola

Cuban Geology Society

Teaching & Supervising Experience

Mar 2025 – ongoing

Supervisor - Master's Final Project
"Taxonomic re-evaluation of the genus Bithynella Moquin-Tandon, 1856 (Caenogastropoda, Bythinellidae) in the Iberian Peninsula using an integrative approach" - Complutense University of Madrid


Mercuria similis
Apr 2022 – Jul 2023

Supervisor - Bachelor's Final Project
"Evolutionary patterns that shaped the current distribution of the genus Napaeus (Heterobranchia, Enidae) in the Canary Islands" - Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid

Jan 2022 – Present

Supervisor - Master's Final Project
"Analysis of the diversity of the genus Bythinella (Caenogastropoda, Bythinellidae) in the Iberian Peninsula" - Complutense University of Madrid

2011

Instructor of Technical English for Science and Technology
Delivered a training course titled “English Language with Technical Aspects of Science and Technology” (2011), aimed at professionals of the Cuban Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA), Delegation of Ciego de Ávila, Cuba.

2005 – 2011

Instructor in Earth Sciences and Field Research
Taught various courses on speleology (basic and intermediate level), geology, paleontology, and research project design. Notably led the Basic Speleology Course covering subjects such as karstology, general speleology, topography, and paleontology, within the Cuban Speleology Society.

Selected Publications

López-Mårquez, V., Puente, A., Miller, J.P., Gutierrez, A. & Noreña, C. 2025. Exploring the Intricate Web of Biodiversity: Notocomplana (Rhabditophora: Polycladida: Notocomplanidae) Species Networks in the North Pacific Ocean. Zoological Science 42(3): 287-298. https://doi.org/10.2108/zs240053
Delicado, D, Miller, J.P., GarcĂ­a-Guerrero, F., Arconada, B. & Ramos, M.A. 2024. DNA sequence data, multispecies coalescence and geometric morphometrics shed new light on the systematics of Iberian valvatiform-shelled spring snails (Caenogastropoda: Hydrobiidae). Journal of Molluscan Studies, 90 (2). https://doi.org/10.1093/mollus/eyae006
Miller, J.P. 2024 Description of a new species of the genus Islamia Radoman 1972 (Caenogastropoda: Hydrobiidae) from deposits of the Neogene in Southern Spain. Folia Malacologica, 32 (1), 19–26. https://doi.org/10.12657/folmal.032.003
García-Guerrero, F., Miller, J.P., Delicado, D., Novo, M., Ramos & M.A. 2023. A systematic review of the Iberian spring snail subgenus Alzoniella (Navarriella) (Caenograstropoda: Hydrobiidae), with the description of a new potentially relict subfamily. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 200, 1–17. htps://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad185
Miller, J.P. 2023 Integrative taxonomy reveals the conspecific status of Xerotricha madritensis (Rambur, 1868) and Helicella candoni Thach, 2018 (Gastropoda, Geomitridae). Zoology, 161. htps://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad185
Miller, J.P. 2023 Redescription of the poorly known Eupaludestrina canariensis (Mousson, 1872) (Caenogastropoda, Cochliopidae) from Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain using an integrative approach. Folia Malacologica, 31(3): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.12657/folmal.031.019
Miller, J.P., Delicado, D., García-Guerrero, F., Khalloufi, N. & Ramos, M.A. 2023. Morphology and taxonomic assessment of eight genetic clades of Mercuria Boeters, 1971 (Caenogastropoda, Hydrobiidae), with the description of five new species. European Journal of Taxonomy, 866(1), 1–63. https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2023.866.2107
Miller, J.P., Cruzado-Caballero, P., de la Nuez, J., Carrillo Pacheco, M. & Ruiz, C. 2022 Review of the Middle Pleistocene molluscan association from La Mancha de la Laja, Tenerife, Spain, with the description of two new species of Napaeus Albers, 1850 (Gastropoda: Enidae) Historical Biology, 35(8): 1308–1321 https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2022.2089982
Miller, J.P., Delicado, D., GarcĂ­a-Guerrero, F. & Ramos M. A. 2022. Recurrent founder-event speciation across the Mediterranean likely shaped the species diversity and geographic distribution of the freshwater snail genus Mercuria Boeters, 1971 (Caenogastropoda: Hydrobiidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 173: 107524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107524
Martínez, J., Carrillo, M., Miller, J.P., 2022. First record of a rare sinistral specimen of Pyramidula jaenensis (Clessin, 1882) (Gastropoda: Pyramidulidae) in Spain. Folia Malacologica 30(2): 121–123. https://doi.org/10.12657/folmal.030.009
Miller, J.P., García-Guerrero, F., Rodríguez Sousa, A.A., Carrillo Pacheco, M. 2021. Taxonomic redefining of Pyramidula jaenensis (Clessin, 1882) (Gastropoda, Pyramidulidae) based on an integrative taxonomy approach. Invertebrate Zoology, 18(4): 465–480. https://doi.org/10.15298/invertzool.18.4.04
Miller, J.P. 2016. Geometric morphometric analysis of the shell of Cerion mumia (Pulmonata: Cerionidae) and related species. Folia Malacologica 24: 239–250.
Mercuria similis
Science outreach

Professional Memberships

Scientific Memberships: Spanish Society of Malacology; Cuban Speleological Society

Snail and flat worm