Jonathan Pereira Miller PhD
Biologist · Malacologist · Integrative Taxonomist
✉ jonathan.p.miller1983 at gmail.com
✉ jonathanmiller at mncn.csic.es
☎ +34 914111328 ext. 443592
🔗 linktr.ee/millerson1983
National Museum of Natural Sciences, Spain
Department: Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology
Calle José Gutierrez Abascal, 2, Madrid, 28006, 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.
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
Sep 2014 – Jul 2017
Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain
Master in Ecology
Sep 2010 – Jun 2012
University of Havana, Cuba
Master in Animal Ecology and Zoology
Sep 2003 – Jul 2008
University of Ciego de Ávila, Cuba
Agricultural Engineering
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. Jose 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 – Dec 2017
Research Internship (FPI BES-2015-073953 grant)
Justus-Liebig-Universitat 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 Avila, 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
Fossil species from La Mancha de la Laja, Tenerife (Miller et al. 2022).
Species described from Andalusia, Spain (Miller et al. 2023).
Species described from Spain, Tunisia and Italy (Miller et al. 2023).
Two new genera Beatrix and Actenidia (with one new species) (Delicado et al. 2024).
Integrative taxonomy of Helicella madritensis (Miller 2023).
Islamia arcana, first record of the genus for the Neogene in Spain (Miller 2024).
New subfamily for Hydrobiidae (García-Guerrero et al. 2023).
New taxonomic insights for species of the genus Corrosella (Delicado et al. 2026)
Defining taxonomic position of some species of the Caribbean genus Cerion (Miller 2016)
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
Awards & Grants
2024 – 2026
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 Iberica XI CGL2014-53332-C5-1-P project and Fauna Iberica 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 Autonoma de Madrid): Diet analysis of Dupont's Lark (Chersophilus duponti). Training on insect taxonomy.
Research Projects
Jan 2025 – Dec 2027
25100025 – Characterization (biological and paleontological) of
critically threatened species of terrestrial gastropods from the
Canary Islands (Addendum 2025–2027)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Carolina Castillo Ruiz (ID: 26196871 D),
Department of Animal Biology, Soil Science and Geology
Project period: 01/01/2025 to 31/12/2027.
Funding: Not provided.
Funder/Manager: Fundación General de la Universidad de La Laguna.
Funding: Not provided.
Funder/Manager: Fundación General de la Universidad de La Laguna.
Jun 2020 – Jul 2023
202030E213 – Systematics and biogeography of the genera
Mercuria, Alzoniella, Navarriella and
Belgrandia (Caenogastropoda: Hydrobiidae) using integrative
taxonomy, multilocus phylogeny and species delimitation
Co-Principal Investigators: Dr. Marian Ramos / Dr. Rafael Zardoya San Sebastián
Project period: 01/06/2020 to 30/07/2023.
Funding: €139,146.
Funder: Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).
Funding: €139,146.
Funder: Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).
Jan 2019 – Sep 2022
PGC2018-095851-B-C61 – Fauna Ibérica XI
Principal Investigator: Dr. Marian Ramos
Project period: 01/01/2019 to 30/09/2022.
Funding: €96,800.
Funder: Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Spain).
Funding: €96,800.
Funder: Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Spain).
Jan 2015 – Dec 2018
CGL2014-53332-C5-1-P – Fauna Ibérica XI
Principal Investigator: Dr. Marian Ramos
Project period: 01/01/2015 to 31/12/2018.
Funding: €193,000.
Funder: Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Spain).
Funding: €193,000.
Funder: Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Spain).
Teaching & Supervising Experience
Mar 2025 – Mar 2026
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
Dr. Miller and Dr. Delicado conducting laboratory work
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
Napaeus specimens. Canary Islands
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
Bythinella specimens
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 Avila, 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
Martinez P.; Gonzalez-Cascon, V.; Bragado, M. D.; Miller, J. P.; Templado, J; Diaz-Alegre, J.; Valladolid, M.; Sendino, C.; de Andres, J.; Garcia-Guerrero, F. 2026. StoryMap de la primera expedicion cientifica iberica a Cabo Verde (Africa) en 1985. MNCN – CSIC. storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/1b3601d628f44be5b87a4402eda27cdc
Delicado, D., Miller, J.P., Boulaassafer, K., Ramos, M. A., Hauffe, T. 2026. Taxonomic assessment of 24 hydrobiid species (Caenogastropoda, Truncatelloidea) of conservation concern in springs of Iberia and Maghreb. European Journal of Taxonomy, 1043(1), 1–32. doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3203
Miller J.P., Sanchez O., Prie V., Delicado D. 2026. Colonisation History of Freshwater Snails Across the Atlantic and Mediterranean Islands: Insights From Mercuria (Littorinimorpha, Hydrobiidae). Zoologica Scripta 0, 1–16. doi.org/10.1111/zsc.70073
Lopez-Marquez, V., Puente, A., Miller, J.P., Gutierrez, A. & Norena, 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. doi.org/10.2108/zs240053
Delicado, D, Miller, J.P., Garcia-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). 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. doi.org/10.12657/folmal.032.003
Garcia-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. 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. doi.org/10.1016/j.zool.2023.126126
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. doi.org/10.12657/folmal.031.019
Miller, J.P., Delicado, D., Garcia-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. 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. doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2022.2089982
Miller, J.P., Delicado, D., Garcia-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. doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107524
Martinez, 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. doi.org/10.12657/folmal.030.009
Miller, J.P., Garcia-Guerrero, F., Rodriguez 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. 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.
Cifuentes, Spain. 2026
Asturias, Spain 2022
Selected Congresses
Miller, J.; Talaván-Serna, J.; Delicado, D. 2025. Uncovering hidden diversity in Iberian freshwater fossil snails: an integrative approach to Horatia schlosseri (Royo-Gómez, 1922) (Gastropoda: Hydrobiidae), in Proceedings of the 1st International Online Conference on Taxonomy, 3–4 December, MDPI: Basel, Switzerland, doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.19914.22729
Miller, J.P., Sánchez, O., Talaván-Serna, J., Carrillo-Pacheco, M., García-Guerrero, F., De Andrés, J., Bragado, L. 2025. Revisiting the morphology of Western European pomatiids: Special In-sights into the Canary Islands Fauna. Foro Malacológico de la Sociedad Española de Malacología. Libro de resúmenes, p. 44.
Guisado-Martin, P., García-Guerrero, F., Miller, J.P. 2025. Is the shell a reliable diagnostic trait? Preliminary insights into the Iberian spring snail Bythinella. Foro Malacológico de la Sociedad Española de Malacología, 2025. Libro de resúmenes, p. 45.
Katati, S., Machuca, C., Ríos, D., Miller, J.P. 2025. Identificación de las alteraciones más frecuentes en piezas de taxidermia de aves. XXVI Bienal de la Real Sociedad de Historia Natural, Tenerife. Libro de resúmenes, p. 235.
Miller, J.P., Sánchez, O., Talaván-Serna, J., Carrillo-Pacheco, M. 2025. Some morphological notes of the Western Europe pomatiids with special emphasis in the species of the Canary Islands. XXVI Bienal de la Real Sociedad de Historia Natural, Tenerife. Libro de resúmenes, p. 197.
Miller, J.P., Gil Macarrón, R., Bragado, M.D., De Andrés, J., García-Guerrero, F. 2025. Una perla para un gabinete de curiosidades. XXVI Bienal de la Real Sociedad de Historia Natural, Tenerife. Libro de resúmenes, p. 123.
Miller, J.P., 2025. Historical biogeography of Cerion Röding, 1798 (Mollusca, Cerionidae) suggests Late Cretaceous vicariance across the Caribbean region. VIII Jornadas Científicas, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-CSIC. Madrid, España.
García-Guerrero, F., Miller, J. P., Delicado, D. & Novo, M. 2023. Alzoniella (Navarriella): A relict lineage of Hydrobiidae springsnails (Mollusca: Caenogastropoda) endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. V Congreso Ibérico de Sistemática Biológica (CISA). Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-CSIC. Madrid, España.
Aguirre-Ubibesalgo A.; Álvarez-Fernández E.; Saña M.; Aparicio M.T.; Miller J.P.; García-Guerrero F.; Gutierrez-Frías I.; Martinez R. 2022. Marine and terrestrial invertebrates at Zacatin rockshelter (Granada, Southeastern Spain): First results. EAA-European Association of Archaeologists, 28th Annual Meeting, Budapest, Hungary. 31/8–3/9/2022.
García-Guerrero F.; Miller J.P.; Ramos M.A., 2021. Unravelling the taxonomy of the genus Belgrandia Bourguignat, 1870 (Mollusca: Hydrobiidae) in the Iberian Peninsula through the use of multilocus species delimitation methods. V PhDay Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain.
García-Guerrero F.; Miller J.P.; Delicado D.; Ramos M.A., 2021. Morphological species of the genus Belgrandia Bourguignat, 1870 (Mollusca: Caenogastropoda: Hydrobiidae) in the Iberian Peninsula evaluated using multilocus species delimitation methods. 9th European Congress of Malacological Societies, Prague.
Miller, J.P.; Delicado, D.; Ramos, M A., 2019. Disentangling taxonomy of Mercuria Boeters, 1971 using an integrative approach. International Seminar on Biodiversity and Evolution of Mollusks, September 26–27, 2019, Vladivostok, Russia. NSCMB FEB RAS, p. 47.
Miller, J.P.; Ramos, M A.; Hauffe, T.; Delicado, D., 2017. Effects of climatic, geographic and evolutionary variables on the global species richness distribution of the family Hydrobiidae s.str. Stimpson, 1865 (Caenogastropoda). 8th EUROMAL Congress 2017, Kracow, Poland. ISBN 978-83-7986-156-9, p. 92.
Aguado, A.; Miller, J.P.; García-Guerrero, F.; Delicado, D. y Ramos, M. A. 2017. Diversidad, procesos evolutivos y biogeografía de especies de Hydrobiidae (Mollusca, Caenogastropoda) ibéricas. I Jornadas de Investigación del MNCN, Spain. 02/2017.
Miller, J.P. 2016. Land snail biodiversity from a protected area in central Cuba. Threats and Future. TiBE – Tropical Biodiversity. Oporto, Portugal. 11/2016.
Miller, J.P. 2016. Sistemática, biogeografía y patrones evolutivos de la Familia Hydrobiidae (Mollusca: Caenogastropoda). III Congreso de Novedades en Investigaciones Zoológicas. Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. 03/2016.
Miller, J.P. 2015. Análisis morfométrico de Cerion spp. (Mollusca: Cerionidae) procedente de dos localidades del Pleistoceno de la Costa Norte de la Habana, Cuba. VIII Jornadas del Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva - Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales - CSIC, Madrid; 11/2015.
Miller, J.P. 2011. Catalog of fossil vertebrate localities of the quaternary in the province of Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. Proceedings of the 7th European on Regional Geoscientific Cartography and Information Systems, Bolonia, Italy; 06/2011.
Pereira-Miller, J., Gómez D., Pérez Y. 2010. Reporte de una nueva localidad para los peces del género Lucifuga (Ophidiiformes: Bythitidae) en la provincia de Ciego de Ávila, Cuba - Congreso 70 Aniversario Sociedad Espeleológica de Cuba, Matanzas, 2010. Congreso 70 Aniversario Sociedad Espeleológica de Cuba, Matanzas, Cuba; 08/2010.
Pereira-Miller, J.: 2010. Los moluscos terrestres de la Sierra de Jatibonico, Municipio Florencia, provincia Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. Congreso 70 Aniversario de la Sociedad Espeleológica de Cuba Matanzas, Cuba.
Pereira-Miller, J.: 2005. Hallazgo paleontológico de relevancia en carso vertical de la provincia de Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. Congreso 65 Aniversario de la Sociedad Espeleológica de Cuba Viñales, Cuba.
Pereira-Miller, J.: 2005. Las Trampas Térmicas en la provincia de Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. Congreso 65 Aniversario de la Sociedad Espeleológica de Cuba Viñales, Cuba.
Pereira-Miller, J. 2005. Breve bosquejo sobre la quiropterofauna local de la provincia de Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. Congreso 65 Aniversario de la Sociedad Espeleológica de Cuba Viñales, Cuba.
Vladivostok, Rusia. 2019
Tenerife, Spain 2025
Professional Memberships
Scientific Memberships: Spanish Society of Malacology
La Habana, Cuba. 2019
Vladivostok, Rusia. 2019