Curriculum Vitae - Systematic Botany and Mycology

Juan Carlos Villarreal A.
http://www.sysbot.biologie.uni-muenchen.de/en/people/villarreal/
Citizenship: Panama
Current address:
Institute of Systematic Botany and Mycology
Menzinger Str. 67; 80638 Munich, Germany
Email: jcarlos.villarreal@gmail.com
Phone: +49 89 17861 194
Google scholar: 242 citations, h-index
9 (accessed 7 th November 2013)
http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=R4
DpS5oAAAAJ&hl=en
CAREER
• Post-doctoral researcher, Institute of Systematic Botany and Mycology, University of
Munich (LMU): (2012-present)
Supervisor: Susanne S. Renner
EDUCATION
• Ph.D., University of Connecticut, UCONN (2011) Evolutionary Biology
Supervisor: Bernard Goffinet
Thesis: Genetic and evolutionary consequences of a shift to asexuality in bryophytes:
Insights from the Southern Appalachian hornwort Nothoceros aenigmaticus
• M.Sc., Southern Illinois University–Carbondale, SIUC (2005)
Supervisor: Karen Renzaglia
Thesis: A comparative anatomical and ultrastructural study of two phylogenetically
significant hornworts: Leiosporoceros dussii and Phaeomegaceros fimbriatus
• B.Sc., University of Panamá (2003)
Supervisor: Noris Salazar Allen
Thesis: Estudio morfológico y anatómico del género Megaceros en Panamá
RESEARCH
Bryophyte systematics, plastid evolution and genomics of hornworts; symbioses in early
land plants
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
1. Villarreal, J.C. & S.S. Renner. 2013. Correlates of monoicy and dioicy in hornworts, the
apparent sister group to vascular plants. BMC Evolutionary Biology 13: 239.
doi:10.1186/1471-2148-13-239
2. Bainard, J. & J. C. Villarreal. 2013. Genome size increases in recently diverged hornwort
clades. Genome 56: 431-435.
3. Desiró A., J.G. Duckett, S. Pressel, J.C. Villarreal & M. Bidartondo. 2013. Fungal
symbioses in hornworts: A chequered story. Proceedings of the Royal Society, B. 280:
20130207.
4. Villarreal, J.C., L.L. Forrest, N. Wickett & B. Goffinet. 2013. The plastid genome of the
hornwort Nothoceros aenigmaticus: Phylogenetic signal in inverted repeat expansion,
pseudogenization and intron gain. American Journal of Botany 100: 467-477.
5. Villarreal, J.C. & S.S. Renner. 2012. Hornwort pyrenoids: carbon-concentrating
mechanisms evolved and were lost at least five times during the last 100 million years.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 109: 18873–18878.
Juan Carlos Villarreal – CV- November 2013

6. Johnson, M., ---36 authors, J.C. Villarreal & K. Wong. 2012. Evaluating methods for
isolating total RNA and predicting the success of sequencing phylogenetically diverse
plant transcriptomes. PLoS One 7(11): e50226.
7. Villarreal, J.C., L.L. Forrest, K. McFarland & B. Goffinet. 2012. Chloroplast, mitochondrial
and nuclear microsatellites from the Southern Appalachian hornwort, Nothoceros
aenigmaticus (Dendrocerotaceae). American Journal of Botany 99: e88-e90.
8. Villarreal, J.C., L.V. Campos & B. Goffinet. 2012. Parallel evolution of endospory in
hornworts: the case of Nothoceros renzagliensis, sp. nov. Systematic Botany 37: 31-37.
9. Garcia, C., C. Sergio, J.C. Villarreal & F. Lara. 2012. The genera Dendroceros Nees and
Megaceros Campb. in São Tomé e Príncipe (Africa, Gulf of Guinea) and description of a
new species, Dendroceros paivae. Cryptogamie, Bryologie et Lichenologie 33: 3-21.
10. Sérusiaux, E., J.C. Villarreal, T. Wheeler & B. Goffinet. 2011. Recent origin, active
speciation and dispersal for the lichen genus Nephroma (Peltigerales) in Macaronesia.
Journal of Biogeography 38: 1138–1151.
11. Villarreal, J.C., D.C. Cargill, A. Hagborg, L. Söderström & K.S. Renzaglia. 2010. Hornwort
diversity: Patterns, causes and future work. Phytotaxa 9: 150-166.
12. Villarreal, J.C., B. Goffinet, R.J. Duff & D.C. Cargill. 2010. Phylogenetic delineation of the
genera Nothoceros and Megaceros. The Bryologist 113: 106-113.
13. Villarreal, J.C., B. Goffinet & D.C. Cargill. 2010. Phaeomegaceros squamuliger
subspecies hasselii (Dendrocerotaceae, Anthocerotophyta), a new taxon from the
Southern Hemisphere. Nova Hedwigia 91: 349-360.
14. Duff, R.J., J.C. Villarreal, D.C. Cargill & K.S. Renzaglia. 2007. Progress and challenges in
developing a phylogeny and classification of the hornworts. The Bryologist 110: 214-243.
15. Villarreal, J.C., G. Hässel de Menéndez & N. Salazar Allen. 2007. Nothoceros superbus
(Dendrocerotaceae), a new species of hornwort from the Neotropics. The Bryologist 110:
279-285.
16. Villarreal, J.C. & K.S. Renzaglia. 2006. Structure and development of Nostoc strands in
Leiosporoceros dussii (Anthocerotophyta): a novel symbiosis in land plants. American
Journal of Botany 93: 693-705. (Journal cover).
17. Villarreal, J.C. & K.S. Renzaglia. 2006. Sporophyte structure in the Neotropical hornwort
Phaeomegaceros fimbriatus: implications for phylogeny, taxonomy and character
evolution. International Journal of Plant Sciences 167: 413-427.
18. Dauphin, G., T. Pócs, J.C. Villarreal & N. Salazar Allen. 2006. Nuevos Registros de
Hepáticas y Anthocerotófitas para Panamá. Tropical Bryology 27: 73-85.
19. Cargill, D.C., R.J. Duff, J.C. Villarreal & K.S. Renzaglia. 2005. Generic concepts in
hornworts: historical review, contemporary insights and future directions. Australian
Systematic Botany 18: 7-16.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
20. Hanson, D., K.S. Renzaglia & J.C. Villarreal. 2013. Diffusion limitation and CO 2
concentrating mechanisms in bryophytes. In Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration:
Photosynthesis in Early Land Plants, D.T. Hanson & S.K. Rice (eds). Vol. 37: 95-112
Springer, Dordrecht.
21. Villarreal, J.C. 2013. Hornworts (genera Anthoceros and Phaeoceros) in The liverworts
and hornworts of the Tristan da Cunha, J. Váňa & J.J. Engel, J.J. (eds.). Memoirs of the
New York Botanical Garden 105 pp. 32-35, 85-86.
22. Villarreal, J.C., W. Frey & D.C. Cargill (eds.). 2010. Bryology in the Southern
Hemisphere. A tribute in honour of Gabriela Hässel de Menéndez†. Nova Hedwigia 91(3-
4): 1–250 pp. (contributed peer-reviewed papers on biogeography, niche modeling, cryomicroscopy,
floristics and evolution of Southern Hemisphere bryophytes).
23. Renzaglia, K.S., J.C. Villarreal & R.J. Duff. 2009. New insights into morphology, anatomy
and systematics of hornworts. In Bryophyte Biology II, B. Goffinet & J. Shaw (eds.), pp
139-171.
24. Duff, R.J., D.C. Cargill, J.C. Villarreal & K.S. Renzaglia. 2004. Phylogenetic relationships
Juan Carlos Villarreal – CV- November 2013

of the hornworts based on rbcL sequence data: novel relationships and new insights.
Monographs in Systematic Botany from the Missouri Botanical Garden 98: 41-58.
NON-PEER REVIEWED AND POPULAR PUBLICATIONS
25. Pressel, S., J. Duckett & J.C. Villarreal. In press. Hornwort heaven: recount of the
expedition into the Himalayan foothills of northern Indian. Field bryology.
26. Villarreal, J.C. & N. Salazar Allen. 2012. The enigmatic hornworts of the miniature forest
of Cape Horn (English and Spanish). In Miniature forest of Cape Horn: Ecotourism with a
hand lens. B. Goffinet, R. Rozzi, L. Lewis, W. Buck & F. Massardo (eds.) University of
North Texas Press, pp. 118-126.
27. Villarreal, J.C. 2010. Before the vascular plants. Book review of “Syllabus of Plant
Families A. Engler’s Syllabus der Pflanzenfamilien. 3. Bryophytes and seedless vascular
plants.” 2009. Eds.: W. Frey, M. Stech & E. Fischer. The Bryologist 113: 431–434.
IAB blog, including http://internationalassociationofbryologists.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/an-alienin-need-of-protection.html;
http://internationalassociationofbryologists.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/atropical-invader-of-european-lands.html
UNDER REVIEW
28. Li, F.-W., J.C. Villarreal, ----32 authors, K.M. Pryer. Horizontal gene transfer of a chimeric
photoreceptor, neochrome, from hornworts to ferns. Submitted to Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences, USA.
29. Villarreal, J.C. & S.S. Renner. A review of molecular clock calibrations and substitution
rates in liverworts, mosses, and hornworts, and a timeframe for the hornwort genus
Nothoceros. Submitted to Taxon.
30. Sustaita, D., C.L. Owen, J.C. Villarreal & M.A. Rubega. Morphometric tools for
distinguishing between sexes of California populations of the loggerhead shrike. Submitted
to Journal of Field Ornithology.
RESEARCH GRANTS
• $223,791 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) (2012-present):
“Understanding the evolution of key traits in hornworts, the sister group to
vascular plants”. (PI: S. S. Renner, co-PI: J.C. Villarreal).
• $4,950 SYNTHESYS Grant (2012): “ Barcoding of European hornworts”. (PI: J.C.
Villarreal, co-PI: L.L. Forrest and D. Long. Hosted by the Royal Botanic Garden of
Edinburgh (RBGE).
• $1,650 University of Munich (LMU), STIBET grant (2012):
“Tutoring and training masters and doctoral students in DNA techniques and
phylogenetic analyses”. (PI: J.C. Villarreal).
• $9,594 Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant, US National Science Foundation
(2009): “Genetic and evolutionary consequences of the shift to asexuality in
bryophytes: Insights from the Southern Appalachian hornwort Nothoceros
aenigmaticus”. (PI: B. Goffinet, co-PI: J.C. Villarreal).
• $3,100 Ronald Bamford Endowment Fund, UCONN (2009):
“Microsatellite library development, transcriptomic work in N. aenigmaticus”. (PI:
J.C. Villarreal).
• $300 Southern Appalachian Botanical Society (2008): “Exploratory fieldwork in
Southern Appalachians”. (PI: J.C. Villarreal).
• $1000 International Association of Plant Taxonomists (2008): “Origin of the clonal
Southern Appalachian endemic Megaceros aenigmaticus”. (PI: J.C. Villarreal).
Juan Carlos Villarreal – CV- November 2013

• $2000 Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, STRI (2008): “Barcoding the
Bryophytes of Panamá”. (PI: L. Forrest, co–PIs: N. Salazar Allen and J.C. Villarreal).
• $1000 International Association of Bryologists, Stanley Green Research Grant (2007):
“Phylogeny of Nothoceros” (PI: J.C. Villarreal)
• $500 Botanical Society of America, BSA - Graduate research award (2004): “ A novel
symbiotic association in land plants, cyanobacterial strands in Leisporoceros
dussii”. (PI: J.C. Villarreal)
AWARDS
• $500 A.J. Sharp Award, American Bryological and Lichenological Society (ABLS)
(2010): Best student paper, BSA Meeting, Rhode Island.
• $5000 Presidential Summer Graduate Research Award, UCONN (2009): Nominationbased
award.
• $500 Extraordinary Doctoral Travel Award, UCONN (2009)
• $500 William Sullivant Award (ABLS): Best published paper in the Bryologist 2007, for
"Progress and challenges toward developing a phylogeny and classification of
the hornworts".
• ~$500 William Steere Foundation of the NY Botanical Garden (2005): Funded two week
visit to NY Botanical Garden to study type material.
• $500 Organization of Tropical Studies- Post-Course Research Award (Declined after
acceptance at SIUC).
• $500 Corredor Biologico Mesoamericano del Pacífico Panameño-Travel Award (2002):
• $500 Humboldt Field Research Institute, Maine, Travel Award 2001.
FELLOWSHIPS
• $2000 Doctoral Fellowship, UCONN (2009).
• $2000 Organization of Tropical Studies and University of Costa Rica (2003): Fellowship
to attend graduate course.
• $3000 STRI, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (2000-2003): Learning molecular techniques
and fieldwork in Panamá.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
• Post-doctoral researcher, Institute of Systematic Botany and Mycology, University of
Munich (LMU), Germany: Oct. 2011-present, employed within DFG project
“Understanding the evolution of key traits in hornworts, the sister group to vascular
plants.”
• Consultant, The Field Museum, Chicago, Biodiversity Synthesis Group, Encyclopedia of
Life (May 2009): compiled and verified worldwide checklist of hornworts; identification of
biodiversity hotspots with scientists from New Zealand, USA and Australia.
• Visiting researcher, The Field Museum, Chicago, with K. Feldheim & M. von Konrat
(June 2008): developed microsatellites for Nothoceros aenigmaticus. Helped develop a
database on hornwort biodiversity.
• Research assistant, Department of Plant Biology, SIUC, with K. Renzaglia, (2003-
2005): collaborative project funded by US National Science Foundation: Research,
Biodiversity, Phylogeny and Biogeography of Hornworts. Personal responsibilities:
gathering ultrastructural and anatomical data, collecting and culturing specimens,
taxonomic work, preparing illustrations and manuscript writing.
Juan Carlos Villarreal – CV- November 2013

• Intern, STRI, Molecular Biology Laboratory and Bryophyte Systematics, Panamá, with E.
Bermingham and N. Salazar Allen (Spring 2003): PCR methods. Bryophyte collections in
Panamá and Costa Rica.
TECHNICAL AND FIELD ASSISTANTSHIPS:
• STRI, Panamá (with N. Salazar Allen)(2001-2003): collected and databased bryophyte
specimens from Panamá and Costa Rica. Maintained bryophyte cultures.
• University of Panamá & Autoridad del Canal de Panamá (2001): collected bryophyte
and parasitic plant specimens during environmental assessment of canal expansion in
three remote areas of Central Panamá.
• University of Panamá, National Herbarium, Panamá (with M. Correa) (2000): collected
and databased vascular plant specimens.
INVITED SEMINARS (* speaker):
• Villarreal, J.C.* 2013. Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, UK.
• Villarreal, J.C.* 2013. Annual Paper Readings of the British Bryological Society, London.
• Griffiths, H.*, M. Meyer, J.C. Villarreal. 2013. C4 + CAM Biology, Urbana- Champaign,
Illinois, USA. Keynote for plenary session. Invitation to H. Griffiths.
• Villarreal, J.C.* 2013. Keynote address in the Bryophyte Biology session of the
International Congress of Bryologists, London, UK.
• Villarreal, J.C.* & S.S. Renner. 2013. A symposium organized by the “Botanische
Staatssammlung München” on the occasion of its 200th anniversary, Munich, Germany
• Villarreal, J.C.* 2012. Job interview, RBGE. Short-listed of 11 from 110 applicants.
• Pressel, S*., J. Duckett & J.C. Villarreal. 2012. Jaypee University, Shimla, India.
• Villarreal, J.C.* 2012. International symposium of molecular systematics of bryophytes,
New York Botanical Garden, New York, USA.
• Villarreal, J.C.* 2012. Institute of Plant Systematics, University of Bonn.
• Griffiths, H.*, M. Meyer, J. Royles, A. Horwath, J. Ogée, L. Wingate & J.C. Villarreal.
2012. Society of Experimental Biology, Salzburg, Austria. Invitation to H. Griffiths.
• Villarreal, J.C.*, K. McFarland, K.S. Renzaglia & B. Goffinet. 2009. V Congreso
Colombiano de Botánica, Nariño, Colombia.
• Villarreal, J.C.*, K. McFarland & B. Goffinet. 2009. Early Land Plants
Today/Encyclopedia of Life Meeting. Field Museum, Chicago, USA.
• Villarreal, J.C.*, R.J. Duff & K.S. Renzaglia. 2008. Department of Botany, The Field
Museum, Chicago, USA.
• Renzaglia, K.S., J.C. Villarreal, S. Schuette, J. Duckett* & R. Ligrone. 2007. World
Conference of Bryology, Malaysia. Invitation to K.S. Renzaglia.
• Villarreal, J.C.* & K.S. Renzaglia. 2007. Department of Biology, University of New
Mexico, Albuquerque, USA.
• Villarreal, J.C.* & K.S. Renzaglia. 2006. IX Congreso Latinoamericano de Botánica-VII
Simposio Latinoamericano de Briología. Santo Domingo, República Dominicana.
• Renzaglia, K.S., J.C. Villarreal*, S. Schuette & R.J. Duff. 2004. XV World Congress of
the International Association of Bryologists, Mérida, Venezuela. Invitation to K.S.
Renzaglia.
CONTRIBUTED RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS
• Forrest, L.L.*, D.G. Long, M.L. Hollingsworth, J.C. Villarreal & P.M. Hollingsworth. 2013.
International Congress of Bryologists, London, UK.
Juan Carlos Villarreal – CV- November 2013

• Wickett, N*., ---25 authors; J.C. Villarreal, K. Wong. 2012. Botanical Society of America,
National Congress, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
• Villarreal, J.C.*, K. McFarland, J. Bainard & B. Goffinet. 2011. All Taxa Bioinventory in
the Southern Appalachians, USA.
• Villarreal, J.C.*, K. McFarland & B. Goffinet. 2010. Botanical Society of America,
National Congress, Rhode Island, USA.
• Sérusiaux, E., J.C. Villarreal A., T. Wheeler & B. Goffinet*. 2010. Botanical Society of
America, National Congress, Rhode Island, USA.
• Forrest, L.L.*, D.G. Long, M.L. Hollingsworth, J.C. Villarreal A., A. Clark, J. Tosh & P.
Hollingsworth. 2010. Botanical Society of America, National Congress, Rhode Island.
• Villarreal, J.C.*, K. McFarland & B. Goffinet. 2008. Botanical Society of America,
National Congress, Vancouver, Canada.
• Villarreal, J.C.* & K.S. Renzaglia. 2005. Botanical Society of America, National
Congress, Austin, USA.
• Villarreal, J.C.*, R.J. Duff & K.S. Renzaglia. 2005. XVII International Botanical Congress,
Vienna, Austria.
• Villarreal, J.C.*, S. Schuette, J. Duff, D.C. Cargill & K.S. Renzaglia. 2004. Botanical
Society of America, National Congress, Utah, USA.
• Villarreal, J.C.*, S. Schuette, J. Witters, K.S. Renzaglia & W. Taylor. 2004. Botanical
Society of America, Utah, USA.
• Villarreal Aguilar, J.C.* & N. Salazar Allen. 2002. 8 vo Congreso Latinoamericano y
Segundo Colombiano de Botánica, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional
de Colombia, Cartagena, Colombia.
TEACHING ASSISTANT EXPERIENCE
• Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UCONN
Evolution of Green Plants (course taught by L. Lewis & B. Goffinet): Spring 2010.
Biology of Bryophytes and Lichens (course taught by B. Goffinet): Spring 2008.
Introduction to Botany (course taught by P. Lewis & B. Goffinet): Fall 2006, 2007,
2009 and 2010.
Introduction to Biology (course taught by A. Fry): Spring 2006, Spring 2008 and
Fall 2008.
• Department of Plant Biology, SIUC
Plant diversity (course taught by S. Sipes): Fall 2004.
• McGill University, City of Knowledge, Panamá
Neotropical Environments (course taught by C. Potvin, H. Barrios & Y. Aguila):
Jan. 2001.
Social change in Panamá (course taught by U. Locher): Feb. 2001.
Environmental Management (course taught by T. Meredith): Mar. 2001.
COURSES ATTENDED
• Woods Hole Marine Laboratories, USA (2009):Workshop on Molecular Evolution
(organized by M. Cummings).
• Universidad de Costa Rica & Organization for Tropical Studies, Costa Rica (2003):
Graduate course in Tropical Ecology and Conservation.
• Humboldt Field Research Institute & University of Maine, USA (2001):
Biosystematics and ecology of temperate bryophytes (taught by N. Slack & N. Miller).
SERVICE
Juan Carlos Villarreal – CV- November 2013

EXTERNAL DEGREE EXAMINATION
• Benjamin Laenen (advised by A. Vanderpoorten). Thesis: Large scale phylogenetic
patterns of diversification in bryophytes. Université de Liège, Belgium. Ph.D candidate,
defense date October 30, 2013
AD-HOC REVIEWER
• Arctoa; Australian Journal of Systematic Botany; Biological Journal of the Linnean
Society; Cryptogamie, Bryologie et Lichenologie; Bryologist; Cambridge University
Press; Fieldiana; Journal of Bryology; Journal of Experimental Botany; Nova Hedwigia;
Phytotaxa; Tropical Bryology.
SYMPOSIUM ORGANIZATION
• Co-organization of the symposium entitled: “Bryophyte biology, genomics and evolution
on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Munich Herbarium” Germany. Coorganizer:
S.S. Renner - March 2013.
FIELD EXPERIENCE:
• Colombia (Nariño); Costa Rica; Dominican Republic; India (East and West Himalayas,
Darjeeling); Mexico; Panamá; UK (Scotland); USA (especially Southern Appalachians,
California); Venezuela (Mérida); Germany (Hessen); Belgium (Liège).
RELEVANT SKILLS
• Curational work and databasing. Taxonomic revisions. Anatomy, development and
taxonomy of bryophytes, particularly hornworts. Scanning and transmission electron
microscopy. Plant DNA extraction, PCR amplification and cycle sequencing.
Microsatellite primer design and testing. Plastid genome assembly and annotation.
Phylogenetic and dating analyses. Paper-writing. M.Sc. and undergraduate training and
supervision in phylogenetic work. University lecturing experience (as a teaching
assistant): botany, bryology, basic phylogenetic theory and techniques.
COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS
• D.C. Cargill (Australia National Herbarium) – A worldwide taxonomic revision of
hornworts; J. Engel/M. von Konrat (Field Museum, Chicago) – Hornwort floristics in Cape
Horn, Chile; L. Forrest/J. Richardson (RBGE) and J. Uribe (Universidad Nacional de
Colombia) – Barcoding of European hornworts and Páramo bryophyte flora; K. Renzaglia
(SIUC) – Hornwort anatomy and character evolution; N. Salazar Allen (STRI) –
systematics of Central American bryophytes; M. Bidartondo (Imperial College London), J.
Duckett/S. Pressel (Natural History Museum London) – Fungal and cyanobacterial
symbionts in hornworts; Howard Griffiths (Cambridge University) & D. Hanson (University
of New Mexico) – Physiology of the hornwort pyrenoid; N. Wickett (Chicago Botanic
Garden) – plastid genomics and transcriptomics of hornworts.
Juan Carlos Villarreal – CV- November 2013