Handbook

This subject provides an overview of evolutionary biology, taxonomy, systematics and biogeography with an emphasis on their application to the study of birds. Included in this subject are a number of fundamental topics: the origin of birds as a whole and their relationship to dinosaurs and other reptiles, the early evolution and radiation of birds, and current ideas about the relationships of modern birds. It examines distributions of different bird groups, explores large-scale patterns in diversity, and the basis of these patterns. Results of recent research are combined with existing theories to give an up-to-date introduction to this dynamic field, and an insight into the history of evolutionary ornithology. The subject has an intensive school. On completion, students have a comprehensive understanding of the principles of phylogenetic systematics and can read and critically interpret cladograms.

This subject will cover the following topics:

• the origin of birds;
• phylogenetic and biogeographical origins of extinct and extant birds;
• classification of extant birds: orders and their characteristics;
• systematics: methods of distinguishing taxa and determining descent;
• species concepts: the philosophical and practical issues associated with species recognition;
• natural selection and population genetics on a landscape scale: modern examples;
• bird classification and identification of Australian species;
• biogeographical theory and applications; and
• biogeography of Australian birds.