DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Disentangling phylogenetic relationships in an explosive bird radiation

快速的进化辐射使我们对物种形成和地理历史有了深刻的了解。 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系谱关系的估计。 这项研究的目的是解决鸟类家庭Zosteropidae，一组的特点是最快的物种形成速度已知的陆地脊椎动物之间的关系。 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Zosteropidae成员之间的进化关系。解决Zosteropidae内部的系谱关系对于在旧世界几个群岛的历史地理学中开辟新的研究途径至关重要。 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论见解。 这项研究提供了一个很好的培训机会，由KU？科学培训多样性办公室。 通过这个项目，调查人员将帮助来自代表性不足的群体的本科生通过收集和分析数据以及展示和出版研究的指导为科学事业做好准备。

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.