C. David
de Santana PhD
Research Associate
National Museum of Natural History - NMNH
I am an evolutionary ichthyologist exploring, discovering, and understanding diversity and evolution of freshwater fishes. My research is based on scientific collections, fieldwork, bench work. I am engaged in public outreach and minority representation.
At the NMNH I am the principal investigator for the project "Diversity and evolution of Gymnotiformes" of the Smithsonian and FAPESP cooperation.
Upper Oyapock River. Photo by C. David de Santana
Featured papers, expeditions, media coverages & SciComm
 Smithsonian Magazine2021 - Hunting behavior in eels among 10 most popular scientific discoveries! |  Icht & herp2021 - Apteronotus albertoi - a rare and critically endangered Species from the Amazon basin |  Scientific Reports2021 - The critical role of natural history museums in advancing eDNA for biodiversity studies: a case study with Amazonian fishes |
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 Revista Galileu2021 - Técnica possibilita estudar peixes da Amazônia sem capturar animais |  BBC News2021 - Electric eels work together to zap prey |  Citizen Science initiative!2021 - Project Poraquê Science made with the help of the community |
 Smithsonian Magazine2021 - Shocking Study Finds Electric Eels Hunt Together |  CNN2021 - 'Extraordinary' research finds electric eels hunt in packs |  Ecology and Evolution2021 - Social predation in electric eels Ecology & Evolution 10th Anniversary editors' choice! |
 The New York Times2021 - Electric eels hunt in packs, shocking prey and scientists |  Nat Geo Magazine2020 - Shocking Behavior by Diana Marques |  A Moment of Science2020 - Listen "The origin of the electric eel's electricity" by Sara Loy |
 Nature Communications2019 - Unexpected species diversity in electric eels with a description of the strongest living bioelectricity generator |  The New York Times2019 - New Electric Eel Is Most Shocking Yet by Emma Goldberg |  Smithsonian Magazine2019 - Electric eels in top 10 most popular discoveries! |
 Smithsonian Magazine2019 - Fish Detective Solves a Shocking Case of Mistaken Identity |  A Moment of Science2019 - Listen "Scientists discover two new species of eel" by Sara Loy |  Smithsonian Voices2018 - Discovery and Danger: The Shocking Fishes of the Amazon's Final Frontier |
 Nat Geo Blog2018 - Fishes of Amazon's Last Frontiers |
Media
Appearances
Research
Highlights
In the media
Scientific
Expeditions
Human impacts on Tropical aquatic systems are at it highest levels. Scientific expeditions to explore, survey, and document those environments before they disappear are more important than ever! For this reason we are conducting expeditions to poorly explored regions in Africa (starting next year) and South America twice per year!
Click in the pictures to expand!
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The Next Big Thing
What's next?
"It's Electric!"
Research and outreach program on electric fishes at Museum für Naturkunde! Stay tuned!