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

[04:04 . 04]大型水鸟——企鹅、苍鹭、灰鹭、信天翁、海鸥、鹈鹕及其盟友、苍鹭和鹳——被认为是鸟类最早的分支群。该项目将利用分子序列数据研究鹈鹕类鸟类（鹈鹕目）之间的系统发育关系。系统发育框架将用于解决这些鸟类的形态进化以及社会行为的进化。这项拟议的研究将有助于揭示鹈鹕目鸟类及其近亲之间的关系。这将有助于更好地理解线粒体核糖体基因的分子进化模式。它还将提供解决宏观进化问题所必需的知识，如鹈鹕目是鸟类的一个形态和生态多样性分支，还是这种多样性仅仅是将不相关的物种聚集在一起的产物。＊＊＊

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. ***