DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Disentangling phylogenetic relationships in an explosive bird radiation

快速的进化辐射使我们能够深入了解物种形成和生物地理历史。然而，在这种辐射中重建进化关系往往具有挑战性，主要是因为谱系分裂事件之间的时间间隔很短。初步模拟表明，使用来自数百个基因区域的DNA序列数据有助于提高对快速辐射中物种之间家谱关系的估计。本研究的目的是解决Zosteropidae鸟类家族内部的关系，Zosteropidae是已知的陆地脊椎动物中物种形成速度最快的一个群体。研究人员将使用下一代测序技术从数百个基因组区域收集DNA序列数据，以阐明家族成员之间的进化关系。研究狭蛸科的系谱关系对于开辟旧大陆若干群岛历史生物地理学的新研究途径至关重要。更广泛地说，这项研究可以为解决其他快速进化辐射中的关系提供方法上的见解。这项研究为堪萨斯大学资助的本科生提供了良好的培训机会。美国科学培训多样性办公室。通过这个项目，研究人员将通过在收集和分析数据以及发表和发表研究方面提供指导，帮助来自代表性不足群体的本科生为从事科学事业做好准备。

Rapid evolutionary radiations allow tremendous insights into speciation and biogeographic history. However, reconstruction of evolutionary relationships in such radiations has often been challenging owing largely to short periods of time between lineage-splitting events. Preliminary simulations show that using DNA sequence data from hundreds of gene regions helps improve estimates of genealogical relationships between species in rapid radiations. This study aims to resolve relationships within the bird family Zosteropidae, a group characterized by the fastest speciation rate known among land vertebrates. Investigators will use next generation sequencing technology to collect DNA sequence data from hundreds of genomic regions to illuminate evolutionary relationships among members of the family.Resolution of genealogic relationships within Zosteropidae is vital to opening novel research avenues in historical biogeography across several archipelagos in the Old World. More broadly, this research can provide methodological insights into paths toward resolving relationships in other rapid evolutionary radiations. This study provides an excellent training opportunity for undergraduate students supported by KU?s Office of Diversity in Science Training. Through this project the investigators will help prepare undergraduates from underrepresented groups for careers in science through mentoring in collecting and analyzing data, as well as in presenting and publishing research.