BIO431 Avian Systematics and Biogeography (8)

CSU Discipline Area: Biological Sciences (BILSC)

Duration: One session

Abstract:

Students enter this subject with a wealth of experience and knowledge that serves as both a foundation and inspiration for focused learning about where did birds come from, when did they first appear and what can we learn from their present-day distribution patterns. As well as examining the origin and diversification of birds, students will be introduced to how patterns of ancestry are discerned, the different concepts used to differentiate species and how biogeographic patterns are studied. Along the way, you will be introduced to the main groups of birds worldwide, with an emphasis on the Australasian region. This subject has a 4 day residential school.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations

Session 1
Distance *	Albury-Wodonga

*This subject offering contains a residential school. Please view following information for further details.

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: BIO431

Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

be able to:

explain theories and current ideas about the origin and early radiation of birds;
decern the various species concepts, and their application to ornithology;
describe extant orders of birds, their phylogenetic and biogeographical origins and their distinguishing characteristics;
apply the methods and processes by which phylogenies and taxonomies are deduced;
use different approaches to studying distribution patterns, and the interplay between phylogeny and biogeography;
explain how modern evolutionary and landscape processes affecting population genetics of birds
apply Australian bird classification and
describe with the evolutionary origins of Australian bird taxa.

Syllabus:

The 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
biogeography of Australian birds

Residential School

This subject contains a compulsory 4 day residential school.

Hands-on practice with constructing phylogenies, studying adapatation and learning how phylogenetic history, character evolution, speciation and classification inter-relate

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