Swift as sound. Design and evolution of the echolocation system in Swiftlets (Apodidae: Collocaliini)

Author(s):
Thomassen, H.A.
Published
2005
Publication type
Doctoral Thesis

Abstract

The thesis describes the design and evolution of echolocation in the South and Southeast Asian Swiftlets. It starts explaining the molecular phylogenetics of Swiftlets, which is used in subsequent chapters. Echolocation calls and social vocalisations of Swifts are compared between species and with non-echolocating Swifts and Swiftlets. The following chapters treat potential morphological adaptations in the echolocation system, i.e. in the syrinx, ear, and brain. The final chapters discuss the biogeography of the Swiftlets and integrate the results into an overall hypothesis on the evolution of Swiftlets and their echolocation system.

SwiftletDNAPhylogeneticsVocalisationSyrinxAuditory nucleiMiddle earAvesBiogeographyEvolutionMorphologyBehavioural biologyEcholocationAsia
Defense date
2005-06-16
Language
English
Supervisor(s)
Zweers, G.A.
Qualification
Ph.D.
Degree granting institution
Faculty of Science, Leiden University, Leiden
hdl
1887/3024

Funding

Sponsorship
Leiden University Fund (LUF), Netherlands Foundation for the Advancement of Tropical Research (NWO-WOTRO), Society for the Advancement of Research in the Tropics (Treub-Mij)