I am a biologist fascinated by the evolutionary and ecological processes that shape present-day biodiversity. I am especially drawn to insular systems. Due to their smaller size and isolation, islands are the settings of unique evolutionary processes and have therefore captivated researchers for decades.
In my current research, I investigate whether populations of songbirds on land-bridge islands differ morphologically from mainland populations. Land-bridge islands were once part of the mainland but became isolated relatively recently. I use a combination of field data and museum collections to find out whether this recent isolation has already led to morphological differences within species. This provides insights into fundamental evolutionary processes on islands (like the island syndrome) and helps to identify distinctive insular songbird populations that may warrant conservation efforts.
Keywords
Island biology; songbirds; land-bridge islands; morphology; island syndrome