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

Thomassen, H.A. (2005)

Doctoral Thesis

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.

• Swiftlet
• DNA
• Phylogenetics
• Vocalisation
• Syrinx
• Auditory nuclei
• Middle ear
• Aves
• Biogeography
• Evolution
• Morphology
• Behavioural biology
• Echolocation
• Asia

• All authors: Thomassen, H.A.
• Supervisor: Zweers, G.A.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Faculty of Science, Leiden University
• Date: 2005-06-16
• 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)