Higher-Order Systematics of the Ciconiides: Podicepediformes, Gaviiformes, Sphenisciformes, Procellariiformes, Pelecaniformes, Ciconiiformes

小行星9420041 大型水鸟--企鹅、潜鸟、、信天翁和剪水鸥、鹈鹕及其盟友、苍鹭和鹳--被认为是最早的鸟类分支。 本计画将利用分子序列资料探讨鹈鹕类鸟类的系统发育关系。 系统发育框架将被用来解决这些鸟类的形态进化以及社会行为的进化。 %%% 这项拟议中的研究将有助于揭示鹈鹕形目鸟类及其近亲之间的关系。 它将提供一个更好的理解模式的线粒体核糖体基因的分子进化。 它还将提供必要的知识，以解决这样的宏观进化问题，无论是鹈鹕形目是一个形态和生态多样性的鸟类分支，或者，如果这种多样性只是一个人为的不相关的物种集中在一起。 ***

9420041 Siegel-Causey Large water birds-penguins, loons, grebes, albatrosses and shearwater, pelicans and allies, herons and storks- have been considered to comprise the earliest branching groups of birds. This project will examine phylogenetic relationships among the pelican-like birds (Pelicaniformes) using molecular sequence data. The phylogenetic framework will be used to address morphologic evolution as well as the evolution of social behavior in these birds. %%% The proposed study will help unravel the relationships among pelicaniform birds and their close relatives. It will provide a better understanding of the patterns of molecular evolution in mitochondrial ribosomal genes. It will also provide the knowledge necessary to address such macroevolutionary questions as whether the Pelicaniformes are a morphologically and ecologically diverse clade of birds or, if this diversity is simply an artifact of lumping together unrelated species. ***