REU: Phylogeny of Paradisaeidae and the Corvine Assemblage Using mtDNA Sequences

Joel Cracraft博士和Kathleen Helm-Bychowski，在 伊利诺伊大学芝加哥分校正在研究 澳大拉西亚极乐鸟 （Paradisaeidae）到其他家庭的澳大利亚鸣禽。 系统发育关系通过比较 线粒体DNA序列的差异。该基因是 通过计算机分析确定，并将与 基于解剖学数据的遗传学。此项研究将提供 是关于恐龙起源和进化史的重要证据 天堂鸟，帮助我们了解 澳大利亚鸟类的多样性。系统发育研究 这也将帮助我们了解的结构和功能， 线粒体基因以及它们是如何被进化修饰的。

Dr. Joel Cracraft and Kathleen Helm-Bychowski, at the University of Illinois, Chicago are studying the evolutionary relationships of the Australasian birds-of-paradise (Paradisaeidae) to other families of Australasian songbirds. Phylogenetic relationships are assessed by comparisons of mitochondrial DNA sequences between species. The phylogeny is determined by computer analysis, and will be compared with a phylogeny based on anatomical data. The study will provide important evidence about the origin and evolutionary history of the birds-of-paradise, and help us to understand the diversification of the Australasian birds. The phylogenetic study will also help us understand the structure and function of the mitochondrial genes and how they are modified by evolution.