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Dr. Robert G. Moyle | Assistant Curator | email: moyle(at)ku.edu The University of Kansas,
Division of Ornithology In the broadest sense my research seeks to understand the patterns and processes of avian diversification. More specifically I am interested in three broad topics; the historical biogeography of pantropical groups, patterns and sources of diversity and endemism in SE Asia and the tropical Pacific, and the evolution of life history traits within tropical groups. Even in “well studied” groups like birds, relatively little is known about diversity in the tropics. Because of this, the first step in much of my research is to accurately account for this diversity, generally using museum collections and genetic surveys to reveal populations that have independent histories and field surveys to document current distributions and community structure. The genetic data are then used to reconstruct the evolutionary history of groups of interest. These evolutionary histories are then combined with natural history data and used to test hypotheses that might explain the process of diversification. These hypotheses invoke influences from a wide variety of sources such as plate tectonics, climate change, and ecological interactions. Much of my work focuses on two insular regions (Melanesia and the Philippines/Greater Sunda islands) that are ideal systems for studying the tempo and mode of speciation in birds. Field expeditions are a large component of my research program, for specimen acquisition as well as collecting life history data. A list of publications can be found here. Dr. A. Townsend Peterson | Curator | Home page | email: town(at)ku.edu The University of Kansas,
Division of Ornithology My research focuses on aspects of the geography of biodiversity. My formal training was in tropical ornithology, with a particular focus on systematics. As such, one component of my research focuses on the alpha taxonomy of birds, as well as on the phylogeny of recently radiated clades of birds. Tied to this focus is work with the basic geography of bird distributions, and with the composition of local avifaunas, based on detailed site inventories and scientific collections around the world. My work with the geographic and ecology of species' distributions, however, has taken me into other fields, including conservation biology and planning, invasive species biology, and disease transmission systems. In the latter field, my work has focused on numerous disease systems, including Chagas Disease, Malaria, Dengue, Leischmaniasis, and Ebola/Marburg. In general, my work is collaborative in nature, and usually involves geographers, computer scientists, and biologists. For a list of publications and more information please go to my home page. Mark B. Robbins | Collections Manager | email: mrobbins(at)ku.edu 1345 Jayhawk Boulevard, Dyche Hall, Lawrence, KS 66045-7562 telephone (785) 864-3657, fax (785) 864-5335 I have been a collection manager of two major ornithological collections over the past 23 years. The initial eleven years were at the Academy of Natural Sciences , Philadelphia , and since 1993, I have been at the University of Kansas Natural History Museum . During this period I have led or co-led more than 40 foreign expeditions (ca. 20 at each institution) for the explicit purpose of enhancing research collections for the ornithological community at large. These inventories have resulted in thousands of new, data-rich specimens, and the addition of nearly 3000 of my sound recordings to the Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds. In addition to documenting the status and distribution of the respective avifaunas, this work has resulted in the discovery of several new species. In concert with the inventory work, my research interests have focused on biological inventory and the conservation of that diversity, alpha systematics, phylogeny, and documentation of the spread of avian borne diseases. Along with several colleagues, I am currently involved in elucidating relationships within the pygmy-owls (Glaucidium), woodpeckers (especially Picumnus and Celeus), and the gnatcatchers (Polioptila). A current research project involves using stable-isotopes to ascertain the intra-seasonal breeding movements of Sedge Wrens (Cistothorus platensis). My involvement in conservation has resulted in documenting the decline of the tallgrass prairie avifauna as a result of adverse agricultural practices. Recently, I served as a Trustee and Conservation Committee member for the Missouri Nature Conservancy and two terms (the final one as chair) of the American Birding Association's Bird Records Committee. Currently, I serve as a Technical Advisor on Audubon Missouri 's Important Bird Areas program, as a member of the American Ornithologists' Union 's South American Check-list Committee and the Missouri Birds Records Committee, and on the Editorial Board of the journal Cotinga. A list of publications can be found here. Dr. Jorge Soberón | Senior Scientist | email: jsoberon(at)ku.edu The University of Kansas,
Division of Ornithology I was trained as a theoretical population ecologists, first in the National University of Mexico and then in Imperial College, UK, where I obtained my Ph.D. My current interests lie in the description and modeling of biodiversity patterns at a geographical scale. This includes understanding the causes of species distributions like fundamental niches, migration and evolution and in patterns of alpha and beta diversity. My interests in the above subjects began after my involvement with the National Commission on Biodiversity of Mexico (CONABIO) for a period of more than a decade. CONABIO was created specifically to compile and maintain updated the biodiversity inventory of Mexico, and to do that we had to develop database techniques, quality-control methods, extrapolation algorithms and visualization techniques. As Executive Secretary of CONABIO I was also heavily involved in biodiversity policy and diplomacy and I have attended all but one of the Biodiversity Convention (CBD) Conferences of the Parties as well as a large number of its peripheral meetings and other biodiversity-related international meetings and negotiations. For a list of publications please click here. Other division members include:
Dr. Roger L. Boyd, Adjunct Curator Dr. Dale H. Clayton, Research Associate Dr. Christopher Filardi, Research Associate Dr. Steve L. Hilty, Research Associate Dr. Philip S. Humphrey, Curator Emeritus and former Director of the Natural History Museum Dr. Richard F. Johnston, Curator Emeritus Lloyd F. Kiff, Research Associate Dr. Andrew Mack, Research Associate Dr. Adolfo G. Navarro Sigüenza, Research Associate Dr. Frank Steinheimer, Research Associate Max C. Thompson, Adjunct Curator
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Copyright © 2007 | The University of Kansas | Division of Ornithology
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