Molecular data for analysing avian diversification across the Australasian archipelago

Molecular data for analysing avian diversification across the Australasian archipelago

Professor Jon Fjeldså, Cand. Real., Dr. Scient., The Zoological Museum at the University of Copenhagen

The project is to take advantage of the unique opportunity for helicopter access to unexplored places in Indonesia and Melanesia to collect data for the Zoological Museum global analysis of the evolution of passerine birdssparrows, wich comprise more than half of the world’s bird species. This is done in cooperation with several other institutions, and will form part of a global initiative to establish records on DNA "barcodes" for all the birds of the World. The ZM has already one of the World’s second-largest collection of samples DNA samples analysis of birds, but there is generally a great shortage of such material from the Indo-PacificAustralian Archipelago. Studies of birds from this region were of key significance for the development of the biological concept of species and our understanding of the way in which new species arise. These ideas seem, however, to be built on a number of flawed interpretations. With the application of a molecular -biological approach and extended scientific research cooperation, we expect to achieve deeper understanding of one of the most dynamic phases in the evolution of birds.

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