Mindell D.P. (Ed.) Avian Molecular Evolution and Systematics

Academic Press, 1997. – 382 p. - ISBN10: 0124983154, ISBN13: 978-0124983151The use of DNA and other biological macromolecules has revolutionized systematic studies of evolutionary history. Methods that use sequences of nucleotides and amino acids are now routinely used as data for addressing evolutionary questions that, although not new questions, have defied description and analysis. The world-renowned contributors use these new methods to unravel particular aspects of the evolutionary history of birds. Avian Molecular Evolution and Systematics presents an overview of the theory and application of molecular systematics, focusing on the phylogeny and evolutionary biology of birds. New, developing areas in the phylogeny of birds at multiple taxonomic areas are covered, as well as methods of analysis for molecular data, evolutionary genetics within and between bird populations, and the application of molecular-based phylogenies to broader questions of evolution.Key Features- Contains authoritative contributions from leading researchers
- Discusses the utility of different molecular markers for questions of avian evolution, involving populations and higher-level taxa
- Applies molecular-based phylogenies of birds and molecular population genetics data to broad questions of organismal and molecular evolution.
- Compares and contrasts molecular and morphological data sets.Molecular Evolution of the Mitochondrial Genome (Mitochondria: An Ancient Legacy; The Vertebrate Mitochondrial Genome; Avian Mitochondrial Genomes; Major Genomic Features as Characters for Phylogenetic Analysis; Intergenomic Transfer of Mitochondrial Sequences;)
DNA Microsatellytes as Genetic Markers at Several Scales (Technical Overview; The Range of Scales; Cautions for Data Analysis; Case Histories; Summary and Conclusions)
Mitochondrial Control Region Sequences as Tools for Understanding Evolution (Sequence Organization and Evolution; Population Structure and Intraspecific Taxonomy; Higher Level Systematics)
The Window of Taxonomic Resolution for Phylogenies Based on Mitochondrial Cytochrome (Materials and Methods; Results; Discussion)
Phylogeny and Evolution of 12S vDNA in Gruiformes (Aves)
Phylogeny of the Pelacaniformes: Molecular Systematics of a Privative Group
The Phylogeny ofRatite Birds: Resolving Conflicts between Molecular and Morphological Data Sets
Phylogenetic Relationships among and within Select Avian Orders Based on Mitochondrial DNA
Relevance of Microevolutionary Processes to Higher Level
Molecular Systematics (Molecular Variability; Population Processes)
Phylogeny in Studies of Bird Ecology, Behavior, and Morphology
Phylogeographic Studies of North American Birds
The Speciation of South American and African Birds in Montane Regions
Studies of Avian Ancient DNA: From Jurassic Park to Modern Island Extinctions (Review of Ancient DNA Research; Systematics and Paleoecological Applications)