DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Historical Biogeography and Evolution of Two Neotropical Montane Clades: Aulacorhynchus (Ramphastidae) and Cyanolyca (Corvidae)

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This study documents the evolutionary history of the emerald toucanet (genus Aulacorhynchus) and the montane jay (genus Cyanolyca) that inhabit tropical montane forests from Mexico south to Bolivia. Evolutionary relationships in these two genera will be studied using DNA sequencing data to construct phylogenetic trees, elucidate questions regarding their origin and geographical distribution, and compare to other vertebrate groups. This information will be key in generating a first understanding of the history of the diversification of the Neotropical montane biota, a diverse but poorly understood portion of world biodiversity. The information generated in this project will provide important information for evaluating conservation status of species within Cyanolyca and Aulacorhynchus. DNA sequences and samples obtained will be available for future studies in bird and genome evolution.