TEMPO, MODE, AND MECHANISMS OF PHENOTYPIC EVOLUTION AND SPECIATION IN BIRDS

Thumbnail Image
Files
Mason_cornellgrad_0058F_10592.pdf (63.22 MB)
No Access Until
Permanent Link(s)
https://doi.org/10.7298/X4Z899MX
https://hdl.handle.net/1813/59095
Collections
Cornell Theses and Dissertations
Other Titles
Authors
Abstract
Birds are remarkably diverse, both in terms of species richness and diversity in phenotypes. A longstanding goal in evolution and ecology is to document patterns of biodiversity and infer the biological processes that contribute to speciation and phenotypic evolution. Here, I take a multidimensional approach to examine the tempo, mode, and mechanisms of phenotypic evolution and speciation in birds. I first document a positive association between rates of vocal evolution and speciation in two large lineages in Neotropical birds. I then explore phenotypic and genetic variation in two lineages of songbirds: the White-collared Seedeater (Sporophila torqueola) and the Holarctic redpoll finches (Acanthis sp.). Finally, I quantify phenotypic change in Horned Lark of the Imperial Valley in southern California, where the desert has been transformed into agricultural land. Collectively, these studies provide different perspectives on avian biodiversity and together illustrate the immense value of natural history collections as repositories of phenotypic and genetic data.
Journal / Series
Volume & Issue
Description
Sponsorship
Date Issued
2017-12-30
Publisher
Keywords
Biology; evolution; Ecology; Biogeography; Ornithology; Systematics; Taxonomy
Location
Effective Date
Expiration Date
Sector
Employer
Union
Union Local
NAICS
Number of Workers
Committee Chair
Lovette, John I.
Committee Co-Chair
Committee Member
Zamudio, Kelly
Reed, Robert D.
Searle, Jeremy B.
Danforth, Bryan N.
Degree Discipline
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Degree Name
Ph. D., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Degree Level
Doctor of Philosophy
Related Version
Related DOI
Related To
Related Part
Based on Related Item
Has Other Format(s)
Part of Related Item
Related To
Related Publication(s)
Link(s) to Related Publication(s)
References
Link(s) to Reference(s)
Previously Published As
Government Document
ISBN
ISMN
ISSN
Other Identifiers
Rights
Attribution 4.0 International
Rights URI
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Types
dissertation or thesis
Accessibility Feature
Accessibility Hazard
Accessibility Summary
Link(s) to Catalog Record