Open AccessAvian molecular systematics on the rebound: a fresh look at modern shorebird phylogenetic relationships
Author(s) -
Van Tuinen Marcel,
Waterhouse David,
J. Dyke Gareth
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of avian biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.022
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1600-048X
pISSN - 0908-8857
DOI - 10.1111/j.0908-8857.2004.03362.x
Subject(s) - systematics , biology , phylogenetic tree , charadriiformes , evolutionary biology , clade , taxon , phylogenetics , zoology , molecular phylogenetics , ecology , taxonomy (biology) , genetics , gene
The study of avian molecular systematics currently lags behind that of mammals in several ways. Little phylogenetic resolution is observed among orders and phylogenetic studies below the ordinal level largely remain based on fast evolving mitochondrial sequences. New papers by Paton et al., Ericson et al., and Thomas et al. provide avian molecular systematics with a badly needed boost. These studies indicate that sampling more taxa and slower evolving nuclear genes yields strong phylogenetic resolution among the major shorebird (order Charadriiformes) families. The new data show surprising overall consensus and converge on certain novel clades. If correct, this newly obtained phylogenetic framework has tremendous implications for our understanding of the evolution of shorebird morphology, ecology and behaviour.