Molecular genetics of wild bird populations

2007 Impact statement
  • Lovette, John I

abstract

We use the tools of molecular biology to document the biodiversity of birds and other animals, and to explain their behaviors, ecologies, and evolutionary histories.

submitted by

  • Lovette, John I | Associate Professor and Director of the Fuller Evolutionary Biology Program, and Associate Director for Academic Affairs, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology

issue being addressed

Understanding the biology of wild animals requires information on their past and present interactions. We use DNA technology to explore the diversity of species of birds and other animals across the landscape and through time. Much of our work is motivated by the need to bring solid science to bear on conservation issues. This often requires, for example, knowing which individuals in a threatened population are breeding, and with whom; documenting the extent to which human and natural landscape changes result in barriers to animal movements; documenting biodiversity by defining species and reconstructing their relationships to one another; and testing ideas about how animal behaviors and other traits have changed through time via evolutionary processes.

response

We have reconstructed the evolutionary histories of thousands of species, primarily birds but also fish, reptiles, insects, and mammals. These studies allow us to place the evolution of other traits in context. For example, one of our major findings in the past year is that the variability of the environment (rainfall variation, in this case) has driven major changes in the family lives of birds in the starling family: starling species that live in stable environments breed in simple pairs, but species that live in highly unpredictable environments breed in larger cooperative groups. This kind of finding is important because it shows how a diversity of family-life behaviors can change in reponse to changing environments.

impact assessment

Our work appears in dozens of scientific papers annually. We also translate our work for the public via many popular articles, and to the students and interns who we teach directly. Our work often changes the way species are described or named, and in many cases has direct influences on conservation. For example, our recently published study of threatened Florida scrub-jay genetics has defined the appropriate population groupings for the conservation of that rapidly declining species. Likewise our studies of golden-winged warblers in New York and elsewhere have shown how hybridization with the closely related blue-winged warbler are leading to the extirpation of the former species throughout much of its current breeding range.

academic priority area

has geographic focus

funding source description

  • National Science Foundation
  • Hatch
  • Unrestricted funds

key personnel

  • Laura Harrington
  • Laura Stenzler
  • Aurelie Coulon
  • Rachel Vallender

mission focus

From CALS annual faculty reporting. Imported on August 5, 2008