Dissertation Research: Reconstructing the Phylogeny of Anas and Interpreting the Evolution of Behavior

该项目是利用分子dna序列数据研究Anas属涉水鸭的进化关系。分子系统发育将与系统发育的形态学估计进行比较。然后，行为和羽毛特征的进化将被映射到这棵树上，并用于测试有关繁殖行为进化、亲代照顾策略、羽毛变异和求爱表现的假设。这项研究在提供一个系统发育框架方面具有重要意义，从中可以解决有关这群鸭子的行为进化和生态的更广泛问题。＊＊＊

9423465 McKinney The project is a study of the evolutionary relationships among dabbling ducks of the genus Anas using molecular mDNA sequence data. The molecular phylogeny will be compared with morphologic estimates of phylogeny. The evolution of behavioral and plumage characters will then be mapped onto the tree and used to test hypotheses of the evolution of breeding behavior, parental care strategies, plumage variation and courtship displays. %%% The study is significant in providing a phylogenetic framework from which to address broader questions about the evolution of behavior and the ecology of this group of ducks. ***