Dr. M. Delia Basanta
Research scientist, Unidad de Genómica Avanzada, Cinvestav
Focus regions: Global
M. Delia Basanta is a biologist from the National University of Comahue (Argentina) and holds a PhD in Science from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Basanta completed postdoctoral fellowships at UNAM's Center for Genomic Sciences and at the University of Nevada, Reno. Basanta's research focuses on the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases in wildlife. That work analyzes the genomic and ecological characteristics of pathogens and hosts, as well as the role of the microbiome and environmental factors, with the aim of contributing to biodiversity conservation and disease management. Since 2025, Basanta has been a research scientist at the Unidad de Genómica Avanzada, Cinvestav in Irapuato, Mexico.
Contributions
From the journals
Genome-Wide Analysis of an Endangered Axolotl Endemic to Mexico Reveals Genomic Variation Associated with Body Condition, Environment, and Infection by a Pathogenic Fungus
Soto-Cortés, E., Basanta, M. D., Ávila-Akerberg, V., Castellanos-Morales, G., Eguiarte, L. E., Gasca-Pineda, J., González Martínez, T. M., & Rebollar, E. A. · Genome Biology and Evolution · July 2026
Axolotls are species from the genus Ambystoma endemic to Mexico, which are a highly vulnerable group of salamanders due to their restricted distributions, habitat loss, invasive species, and pollution. In this study, we used a genome-wide approach to determine the genetic status of Ambystoma altamirani populations, a highly threatened species living in streams in oak and pine forests surrounding Mexico City and other large urban areas in Central Mexico. Our study found that A. altamirani genetics is highly influenced by habitat environmental conditions like temperature, but we also found genetic signatures associated with infection by the lethal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and with body condition. In light of the threats that this species and other species of Ambystoma currently face, our study contributes to fundamental knowledge needed to implement genomic-based management and conservation strategies of axolotl populations and establish the first basis for genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism analyses for Ambystoma species.
Amphibians After Disease-Induced Declines: Genetic Insights Into Population Recoveries
Basanta, M. D., Byrne, A. Q., Rosenblum, E. B., Richards-Zawacki, C. L., & Voyles, J. · Molecular Ecology · June 2026
Infectious diseases can cause severe population declines, which often result in genetic bottlenecks, with small, isolated populations that are especially vulnerable to extinction due to genetic drift and inbreeding. Chytridiomycosis, caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has led to global amphibian declines. Yet, some populations now show signs of recovery, even though Bd is present and pathogenic. In this study, we use a genomic approach to investigate the genetic patterns underlying recoveries in three amphibian species from Panama that experienced Bd-related declines followed by apparent recoveries. Our results reveal recent genetic bottlenecks and low effective population sizes across all three species, consistent with evidence of past disease-driven declines. However, we found distinct patterns of gene flow and immune genetic diversity among species. These findings suggest that gene flow may serve as a key demographic and adaptive contributor to recovery in some species by introducing novel genetic variation.