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Evolution And Ecology Of Two Iconic Australian Clades: The Meliphagidae (Birds) And The Hakeinae (Plants), Eliot Trimarchi Miller
Evolution And Ecology Of Two Iconic Australian Clades: The Meliphagidae (Birds) And The Hakeinae (Plants), Eliot Trimarchi Miller
Dissertations
The first part of this dissertation explores the evolution of two iconic groups of species through Australian climate space: the Meliphagidae, or honeyeaters, which are primarily nectar-feeding birds, and the Hakeinae, a section of the plant family Proteaceae. Both groups are inferred to have had their origins in Gondwanan rainforests that were widespread across Australia 45 million years ago and then diversified into more arid environments as the continent’s climate became more arid. Accordingly, dry environments are inhabited by closely related (phylogenetically clustered) sets of species, although, in contrast to the honeyeaters, Hakeinae communities are characterized by more localized diversification. …
Evolution And Biogeography Of Fire-Eye Antbirds (Genus Pyriglena): Insights From Molecules And Songs, Marcos Maldonado Coelho
Evolution And Biogeography Of Fire-Eye Antbirds (Genus Pyriglena): Insights From Molecules And Songs, Marcos Maldonado Coelho
Dissertations
The importance of climatic and geologic factors as drivers of population differentiation and speciation in the Neotropical region has long been appreciated. However, many questions remain regarding their roles underlying the processes and patterns of diversification. Studies conducted in distinct regions containing a suite of geological and ecological conditions constitute ideal scenarios to assess the role of Pleistocene climatic changes, rivers, and mountain building as historical diversification mechanisms. In chapters 1 and 2, I used an integrative approach combining molecular phylogenetics, phylogeography and population genetics to elucidate the importance of climatic and geological factors as engines of diversification. I focused …