The group was formed in December 2004 as an initiative of several members from the former Vertebrate Unit, several of them (Tomás Santos, José Luis Tellería and Eduardo de Juana) disciples of Francisco Bernis (1916-2003), who was a Professor at this University, founder of the Spanish Ornithological Society and one of the fathers of modern Ornithology in Spain. In its origins, our research focused on the study of bird biogeography, ecology and migration, including also several studies of different groups of terrestrial vertebrates. The original name of the group was Biology and Conservation of Vertebrates.

During its trajectory, the group was expanding its scientific objectives and diversifying its study models thanks to the incorporation of specialists in different organisms, most of them coming from Institutions other than UCM. In 2016, it adopted its current name, in line with its integrative perspective. Today, the group develops research with less taxonomic bias and a wide methodological spectrum, directed by questions of general interest in the fields of evolutionary biology and conservation.

Our aim is to form an attractive research group with social projection and international dimension. To this end, we encourage collaboration with other institutes (national and foreign), the incorporation of professionals according to criteria of excellence (Ramón y Cajal programmes and similar), and the training of competitive students in the areas of biology, evolution and conservation of fauna.