Evolution of the Australasian songbird fauna

Abstract

DNA analyses have revolutionised our understanding of the origin and evolution of the world's avifauna, and have identified a central role for the Australasian region in the evolutionary history of the Aves. The Australasian region has been conclusively shown to be the centre of origin for the songbirds, or oscines. The long endemic history of the oscine fauna in Australia provides an excellent opportunity to investigate how lineages radiate and adapt through major long-term changes in climatic and environmental conditions. DNA studies have revealed that the Australasian oscines are over-lumped and that the number of small genera being recognised is increasing. This contrasts with the presen..