David Fernández
Positions
Adjunct Professor
University of Calgary
Contact information
Location
Department of Anthropology and Archaeology: ES 834
Background
Educational Background
Ph.D. Biological Anthropology, Stony Brook University,
MSc Biological Anthropology, Stony Brook University,
BSc Zoology, Universidad de Alcalá,
Biography
I am a primate behavioural ecologist and conservation scientist, with over 21 years of experience working in Equatorial Africa. After working for over 7 years as a Senior Lecturer (equivalent to Associate Professor) in Conservation Science at the University of the West of England, in the United Kingdom, in 2023 I had to relocate to Calgary, Canada, due to family reasons. I hold a Ph.D. and MSc in Biological Anthropology from Stony Brook University (USA), and a BSc in Zoology from Alcalá University (Spain). I have been a member of the IUCN Primate Specialist Group (Africa Section) since 2017. I am fluent in Spanish (native), English, and beginner in Kiswahili and French.
Research
Areas of Research
My work aims to understand the drivers and consequences of environmental change on the status and vulnerability of populations. To do so I combine traditional methods, such as transects, with innovative conservation technology, including bioacoustics and camera trapping. I also work very closely with stakeholders, including government officials and local leaders, to translate the results of my work into effective conservation policies. Most of my current work is focused in two sites in Equatorial Guinea, Central Africa: Bioko Island and Monte Alén National Park, where I co-lead a long-term monitoring programme for large mammals. I am also one of the co-editors of the upcoming IUCN Cercocebus and Mandrillus Conservation Action Plan 2024-2028.
Participation in university strategic initiatives
Publications
- Human-modified landscapes driving the global primate extinction crisis. Torres-Romero EJ, Eppley TM, Fernández D, Nijman V. Global Change Biology, 29. 5775–5787. (2023)
- Accessibility to protected areas increases primate hunting intensity in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. Branch D, Moka Sharpe, S., Maho LM, Silochi Pons MA, Mitogo Michá F, Motove Etingüe A, Nze Avomo JCO, Owono Nchama PO, Esara Echube JM, Fero Meñe M, Featherstone B, Montgomery D, Gonder MK, & Fernández D. Frontiers in Conservation Science, 3. 780162. (2022)
- The current status of the world’s primates: mapping threats to understand priorities for primate conservation. Fernández D, Kerhoas D, Dempsey A, Billany J, Argirova E, McCabe G . International Journal of Primatology, 43. 15–39. (2022)
- Conservación de primates in el Parque Nacional de Monte Alén, Guinea Ecuatorial [Primate Conservation in Monte Alén National Park, Equatorial Guinea]. Fernández D, McLaughlin P, McCabe G. Spanish Primatological Society’s Bulletin, 278(1). 118-129. (2021)
- A long-term monitoring programme for Great Apes in Monte Alén National Park. McLaughlin P, Fernández D, McCabe G. Gorilla Journal. 20-22. (2020)
- Lemurs in cacao: presence and abundance within the shade plantations of northern Madagascar. Webber AD, Solofondranohatra J, Razafindramoana S, Fernández D, Parker CA, Steer M, Abrahams M, Allainguillaume J. Folia Primatologica, 91(2). 96-107. (2020)
- Cercocebus sanjei. McCabe G, Rovero F, Fernández D, Butynski TM, Struhsaker TT. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. (2019)
- Mangadrill Conservation Action Plan: A strategy for the survival of Cercocebus and Mandrillus. Fernández D, Dempsey A, McCabe G, McGraw S. African Primates, 13. 66-67. (2019)
- Conservation strategies for understanding and combating the primate bushmeat trade on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea . Cronin D, Sesink Clee PR, Mitchell MW, Bocuma Meñe D, Fernández D, Riaco C, Fero Meñe M, Esara Echube JM., Hearn GW, Gonder MK. American Journal of Primatology. 22663. (2017)
- Exaggerated sexual swellings and the probability of conception in wild Sanje mangabeys (Cercocebus sanjei). Fernández D, Doran-Sheehy D, Borries C, Ehardt CL. International Journal of Primatology, 38. 513-532. (2017)
- Consequences of a male takeover on mating skew in wild Sanje mangabeys (Cercocebus sanjei). Fernández D. American Journal of Primatology, 79. e22532. (2017)
- Ancient phylogenetic divergence of the enigmatic African rodent Zenkerella and the origin of anomalurid gliding. Heritage S, Fernández D, Sallam HM, Cronin DT, Esara Echube JM, Seiffert ER. PeerJ, 4. e2320. (2016)
- Reproductive characteristics of Sanje mangabeys (Cercocebus sanjei). Fernández D, Doran-Sheehy D, Borries C, Brown JL. American Journal of Primatology, 76. 1163-1174. (2014)
- Ecology of reproduction in Sanje mangabeys: Dietary strategies and energy balance during the high fruit period. McCabe G, Fernández D, Ehardt CL. American Journal of Primatology, 75. 1196-1208. (2013)
- Ontogeny of long bone geometry in capuchin monkeys (Cebus albifrons and Cebus apella): Implications for locomotor development and life history. Young JW, Fernández D, Fleagle JG. Biology Letters 6(2). 197-200. (2010)
- The strategic use of sex in wild western gorillas. Doran-Sheehy DM, Fernández D, Borries C. American Journal of Primatology, 71. 1011-1020. (2009)
- Pennant’s Red Colobus. Cronin, DT, Bocuma Meñe, D, Montgomery D, Esara Echube JM, Esono F, Esono R, Fernández D, Fero Meñe DM, Gonder MK, Ndong Menzene AN. IUCN Red Colobus (Piliocolobus) Conservation Action Plan 2021-2026. (2021)
- Monitoring the Sanje mangabey population in Tanzania while engaging the local community. Fernández D, McCabe G, Ehardt C. Primate Research and Conservation in the Anthropocene. (2019)
- Patterns of infant mortality & seasonality in wild Sanje mangabeys, Cercocebus sanjei. McCabe GM, Fernández D. Primate Life History, Sex Roles, and Adaptability: Essays in Honour of Linda M. Fedigan. (2018)
- Cercocebus sanjei (Mittermeier, 1986), Sanje River Mangabey. Ehardt CL, Fernández D, McCabe G. All the World’s Primates. (2017)
- Tubérculo dental-cúspide talón: la población de coimbra (Portugal) entre 1839-1936. Galera V, Gutiérrez E, Moreno JM, Cunha E, Fernández D. Anthropología y biodiversidad, Vol. I. 156-161. (2003)
- Biodiversity differences between Roka Forest and Malilini concession. Major K, Fernández D, Hending D, McCabe G. Report to New Britain Palm Oil Limited, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. (2020)
- The Future of the Biodiversity of the Gran Caldera Scientific Reserve: Translating Science into Policy to Develop an Effective Management Plan for the Gran Caldera Scientific Reserve. Cronin DT, Bocuma Meñe D, Perella C, Fernández D, Hearn GW, Gonder MK. Report prepared for the 'Symposium on the Future of the Biodiversity of the Gran Caldera Scientific Reserve. 42. (2015)
- Recent cases of the implementation of the law regulating the hunting of bushmeat on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. Fernández D, McCabe G. Report to the Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 4. (2013)
- The economics of the primate trade in Bioko, Equatorial Guinea. Reid J, Morra W, Posa Bohome C, Fernández D. Conservation Strategy Fund and Conservation International. (2005)
- Bioko Biodiversity Awareness Campaign. Fernández D. Report to Conservation International, Washington DC, USA. 73. (2003)
- The Demarcation of Bioko’ protected areas. García Francisco J, Fernández D. Report to Conservation International, Washington DC, USA. 108. (2002)
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