Bird Systematics
The lab has published articles on the molecular phylogeny of North American sparrows and the higher relationships among passerine birds. Most of this work has been motivated in an attempt to resolve avian phylogeny for cospeciation studies in the parasitic mites of birds.

This work is continuing with an emphasis on the phylogenetic relationships among the Emberizidae, Parulidae, Thraupidae, Icteridae, and Fringillidae. Specifically, we have sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes of about 18 species of birds that are members of this large complex.
Greg Spicer
Department of Biology
Last Modified: Thu, Aug 25, 2005