Ornithology

  1. Avian Evolution and Systematics
    1. Origin of Birds
      1. Dinosaurian Ancestry
        1. Theropod Relationships
          1. Shared Anatomical Features
            1. Evolutionary Transitions
            2. Fossil Evidence
              1. Archaeopteryx Significance
                1. Other Transitional Fossils
                  1. Feathered Dinosaurs
                  2. Evolution of Flight
                    1. Flight Origin Theories
                      1. Arboreal Hypothesis
                        1. Cursorial Hypothesis
                        2. Developmental Stages
                        3. Feather Evolution
                          1. Early Feather Functions
                            1. Evolutionary Stages
                              1. Structural Development
                            2. Avian Phylogeny
                              1. Major Evolutionary Lineages
                                1. Paleognathae
                                  1. Ratites
                                    1. Ostriches
                                      1. Emus
                                        1. Rheas
                                          1. Cassowaries
                                            1. Kiwis
                                            2. Tinamous
                                            3. Neognathae
                                              1. Galloanserae
                                                1. Anseriformes (Waterfowl)
                                                  1. Galliformes (Landfowl)
                                                  2. Neoaves
                                                    1. Major Neoavian Clades
                                                2. Molecular Phylogenetics
                                                  1. DNA Sequence Analysis
                                                    1. Mitochondrial DNA Studies
                                                      1. Nuclear DNA Applications
                                                        1. Phylogenetic Reconstruction Methods
                                                      2. Taxonomy and Classification
                                                        1. Nomenclatural Principles
                                                          1. Binomial Nomenclature
                                                            1. International Code of Zoological Nomenclature
                                                              1. Priority Rules
                                                              2. Taxonomic Hierarchy
                                                                1. Order Level Classification
                                                                  1. Family Level Classification
                                                                    1. Genus Level Classification
                                                                      1. Species Level Classification
                                                                      2. Species Concepts
                                                                        1. Biological Species Concept
                                                                          1. Phylogenetic Species Concept
                                                                            1. Morphological Species Concept
                                                                              1. Ecological Species Concept
                                                                            2. Biogeography
                                                                              1. Global Distribution Patterns
                                                                                1. Continental Diversity
                                                                                  1. Regional Endemism
                                                                                    1. Latitudinal Gradients
                                                                                    2. Island Biogeography
                                                                                      1. Colonization Patterns
                                                                                        1. Island Endemism
                                                                                          1. Extinction Patterns
                                                                                          2. Speciation Processes
                                                                                            1. Allopatric Speciation
                                                                                              1. Sympatric Speciation
                                                                                                1. Adaptive Radiation Examples

                                                                                            Previous

                                                                                            2. Avian Anatomy and Physiology

                                                                                            Go to top

                                                                                            Next

                                                                                            4. Flight and Locomotion