Tempo and mode of modern bird evolution observed with large-scale taxonomic sampling

References

• Alroy , J . 1999 . The fossil record of North American mammals: Evidence for a Paleocene evolutionary radiation . Syst Biol , 48 : 107 – 118 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Archibald , JD . 1996 . Dinosaur extinction and the end of an era. What the fossils say , New York : Columbia University Press .
   Google Scholar
• Archibald , JD and Deutschman , DH . 2001 . Quantitative analysis of the timing of the origin and diversification of extant placental orders . J Mammal Evol , 8 : 107 – 124 .
   Google Scholar
• Baird , P and Vickers-Rich , P . 1997 . Eutreptodactylus itaboraiensis gen. et. sp. nov.: An early cuckoo (Aves: Cuculidae) from the late Paleocene of Brazil . Alcheringa , 21 : 123 – 127 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Barker , FK , Barrowclough , GF and Groth , JG . 2002 . A phylogenetic hypothesis for passerine birds: Taxonomic and biogeographic implications of an analysis of nuclear DNA sequence data . Proc R Soc Lond B , 269 : 295 – 308 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Barnosky , AD and Carrasco , MA . 2002 . Effects of Oligo–Miocene global climate changes on mammalian species richness in the northwestern quarter of the USA . Evol Ecol Res , 4 : 811 – 841 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Benton , MJ . 1997 . Vertebrate Paleontology , 2nd ed. , London : Chapman & Hall .
   Google Scholar
• Benton , MJ . 1999 . Early origins of modern birds and mammals: Molecules vs. morphology . Bioessays , 21 : 1043 – 1052 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Benton , MJ and Ayala , F . 2003 . Dating the tree of life . Science , 5626 : 1698 – 1700 .
   Google Scholar
• Bickart , KJ . 1982 . A new thickknee, Burhinus, from the Miocene of Nebraska, with comments on the habitat requirements of the Burhinidae (Aves: Charadriiformes) . J Vert Paleont , 1 : 273 – 277 .
   Google Scholar
• Bleiweiss , R . 1998 . Fossil gap analysis supports early Tertiary origin of trophically diverse avian orders . Geology , 26 : 323 – 326 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bleiweiss , R , Kirsch , JAW and Shafi , N . 1995 . Confirmation of a portion of the Sibley–Ahlquist tapestry . Auk , 112 : 87 – 97 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Blondel , J and Mourer-Chauviré , C . 1998 . Evolution and history of the Western Palearctic avifauna . Trends Ecol Evol , 13 : 488 – 492 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Boles , WE . 1992 . Revision of Dromaius Gidju Patterson and Rich 1987 from Riversleigh, northwestern Queensland, Australia, with a reassessment of its generic position . Nat Hist Mus Los Angeles County Sci Ser , 36 : 195 – 208 .
   Google Scholar
• Boles , WE . 1993 . A new cockatoo (Psittaciformes: Cacatuidae) from the Tertiary of Riversleigh, northwestern Queensland and an evaluation of rostral characters in the systematics of parrots . Ibis , 135 : 8 – 18 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Boles , WE . 1995 . The world's oldest songbird . Nature , 374 : 21 – 22 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Brochu , CA . 2001 . Progress and future directions in archosaur phylogenetics . J Paleontol , 75 : 1185 – 1201 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Brodkorb , P . 1967 . Catalogue of fossil birds, part 3 (Ralliformes, Ichthyornithiformes, Charadriiformes) . Bull Fla State Mus Biol Sci , 11 : 99 – 220 .
   Google Scholar
• Brunet , J. 1971 . Oiseaux miocènes de Beni Mellal (Maroc); un complément à leur étude Notes . Mémoires et Service Géologique (Marocco) , 31 : 109 – 111 .
   Google Scholar
• Chubb , AL . 2004 . New nuclear evidence for the oldest divergence among neognath birds: The phylogenetic utility of ZENK (i) . Mol Phylogenet Evol , 30 : 140 – 151 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Clarke , JA , Tambussi , CP , Noriega , JI , Erickson , GM and Ketcham , RA . 2005 . Definite fossil evidence for the extant avian radiation in the Cretaceous . Nature , 433 : 305 – 308 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Cook , JA , Lessa , EP and Hadly , EA . 2000 . “ Paleontology, phylogenetic patterns and macroevolutionary processes in subterranean rodents ” . In The biology of subterranean rodents: Evolutionary challenges and opportunities , Edited by: Cameron , GN , Lacey , EA and Patton , JL . 332 – 369 . Chicago : University of Chicago Press .
   Google Scholar
• Cooper , A and Cooper , RA . 1995 . The Oligocene bottleneck and New Zealand biota: Genetic record of a past environmental crisis . Proc R Soc Lond B , 261 : 293 – 302 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Cooper , A and Fortey , R . 1998 . Evolutionary explosions and the phylogenetic fuse . Trends Ecol Evol , 13 : 151 – 156 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Cooper , A and Penny , D . 1997 . Mass survival of birds across the K–T boundary: Molecular evidence . Science , 275 : 1109 – 1113 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Cooper , A , Lalueza-Fox , C , Anderson , S , Rambaut , A , Austin , J and Ward , R . 2001 . Complete mitochondrial genome sequences of two extinct moas clarify ratite evolution . Nature , 409 : 704 – 707 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Cracraft , J . 1987 . DNA hybridization and avian phylogenetics . Evol Biol , 21 : 47 – 96 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Cracraft , J . 2001 . Avian evolution, Gondwana biogeography and the Cretaceous–Tertiary mass extinction event . Proc R Soc Lond B , 268 : 459 – 469 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Cracraft , J , Barker , FK , Braun , M , Harshman , J , Dyke , GJ , Feinstein , J , Stanley , S , Cibois , A , Schikler , P , Beresford , P , Garcia-Moreno , J , Sorenson , MD , Yuri , T and Mindell , DP . 2004 . “ Phylogenetic relationships among modern birds (Neornithes): Toward an avian tree of life ” . In Assembling the tree of life , Edited by: Cracraft , J and Donoghue , M . 469 – 489 . New York : Oxford University Press .
   Google Scholar
• De los Monteros , AE . 2000 . Higher-level phylogeny of Trogoniformes . Mol Phylogenet Evol , 14 : 20 – 34 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• De Queiroz , A and Gauthier , J . 1992 . Phylogenetic taxonomy . Annu Rev Ecol Syst , 23 : 449 – 480 .
   Google Scholar
• del Hoyo , J , Elliott , A and Sargatal , J . 1992–2002 . Handbook of the birds of the world , Vol. 1–7 , Barcelona : Lynx Edicions . (at http://www.hbw.com)
   Google Scholar
• Dyke , GJ . 2001 . The evolutionary radiation of modern birds: Systematics and patterns of diversification . Geol J , 36 : 305 – 315 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Dyke , GJ and Van Tuinen , M . 2004 . The evolutionary radiation of modern birds (Neornithes): Reconciling molecules, morphology and the fossil record . Zool J Linn Soc , 141 : 153 – 178 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Edwards , SV , Arctander , P and Wilson , AC . 1991 . Mitochondrial resolution of a deep branch in the genealogical tree for perching birds . Proc R Soc Lond B , 243 : 99 – 107 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Emslie , SD . 1988 . The fossil history and phylogenetic relationships of condors (Ciconiiformes: Vulturidae) in the new world . J Vert Paleont , 8 : 212 – 228 .
   Google Scholar
• Ericson , PGP . 1997 . Systematic relationships of the paleogene family Presbyornithidae (Aves: Anseriformes) . Zool J Linn Soc , 121 : 429 – 483 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ericson , PGP , Christidis , L , Cooper , A , Irestedt , M , Jackson , J , Johansson , US and Norman , JA . 2002 . A Gondwanan origin of passerine birds supported by DNA sequences of the endemic New Zealand wrens . Proc R Soc Lond B , 269 : 235 – 241 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Fain , MG and Houde , P . 2004 . Parallel radiations in the primary clades of birds . Evolution , 58 : 2558 – 2573 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Feduccia , A . 1995 . Explosive evolution in Tertiary birds and mammals . Science , 267 : 637 – 638 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Feduccia , A . 1996 . The origin and evolution of birds , New Haven : Yale University Press .
   Google Scholar
• Foote , M , Hunter , JP , Janis , CM and Sepkoski , JJ . 1999 . Evolutionary and preservational constraints on origins of biologic groups: Divergence times of eutherian mammals . Science , 283 : 1310 – 1314 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Francis , JE and Poole , I . 2002 . Cretaceous and early Tertiary climate of Antarctica: Evidence from fossil wood . Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol , 182 : 47 – 64 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Groth , JG and Barrowclough , GF . 1999 . Basal divergences in birds and the phylogenetic utility of the nuclear RAG-1 gene . Mol Phylogenet Evol , 12 : 115 – 123 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Haddrath , O and Baker , AJ . 2001 . Complete mitochondrial DNA genome sequences of extinct birds: ratite phylogenetics and the vicariance biogeography hypothesis . Proc R Soc Lond B , 268 : 939 – 945 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Haring , E , Kruckenhauser , L , Gamauf , A , Riesing , MJ and Pinsker , W . 2001 . The complete sequence of the mitochondrial genome of Buteo buteo (Aves, Accipitridae) indicates an early split in the phylogeny of raptors . Mol Biol Evol , 18 : 1892 – 1904 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Harrison , CJO . 1985 . A Bony-toothed Bird (Odontopterygiformes) from the Palaeocene of England . Tert Res , 7 : 23 – 25 .
   Google Scholar
• Harshman , J . 1994 . Reweaving the tapestry: What can we learn from Sibley and Ahlquist (1990) . Auk , 111 : 377 – 388 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hedges , SB , Parker , PH , Sibley , CG and Kumar , S . 1996 . Continental breakup and the ordinal diversification of birds and mammals . Nature , 381 : 226 – 229 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hess , JC and Lippolt , HJ . 1986 . 40Ar/39Ar ages of tonstein and tuff sandines: New calibration points for the improvement of the upper Carboniferous time scale . Chem Geol , 59 : 143 – 154 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hope , S . 2002 . “ Above the heads of dinosaurs ” . In The Mesozoic record of Neornithes , Edited by: Chiappe , L and Witmer , LM . 339 – 388 . Berkeley : University of California Press .
   Google Scholar
• Houde , P . 1987 . Critical evaluation of DNA hybridization studies in avian systematics . Auk , 104 : 17 – 32 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Houde , P and Olson , SL . 1989 . “ Small arboreal nonpasserine birds from the early Tertiary of Western North America ” . In Acta 19th congress international ornithogical meeting Vol. 1 , 2030 – 2036 .
   Google Scholar
• Houde , P and Olson , SL . 1992 . A radiation of coly-like birds from the Eocene of North America (Aves: Sandcoleiformes, new order) . Nat Hist Mus Los Angeles County Sci Ser , 36 : 137 – 160 .
   Google Scholar
• Johansson , US , Parsons , TJ , Irestedt , M and Ericson , PGP . 2001 . Clades within the “higher land birds”, evaluated by nuclear DNA sequences . J Zool Syst Evol Res , 39 : 37 – 51 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Johnson , KR and Ellis , B . 2002 . A tropical rainforest in Colorado 1.4 million years after the Cretaceous–Tertiary boundary . Science , 296 : 2379 – 2383 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Krajewski , C and King , DG . 1996 . Molecular divergence and phylogeny: Rates and patterns of cytochrome b evolution in cranes . Mol Biol Evol , 13 : 21 – 30 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kumar , S and Hedges , SB . 1998 . A molecular timescale for vertebrate evolution . Nature , 392 : 917 – 920 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Livezey , BC . 1997 . A phylogenetic analysis of basal Anseriformes, the fossil Presbyornis and the interordinal relationships of waterfowl . Zool J Linn Soc , 121 : 361 – 428 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lucas , FA . 1900 . Characters and relations of Gallinuloides, a fossil gallinaceous bird from the Green river shales of Wyoming . Bull Mus Comp Zool , 1900 : 79 – 84 .
   Google Scholar
• Mariaux , J and Braun , MJ . 1996 . A molecular phylogenetic survey of the nightjars and allies (Caprimulgiformes) with special emphasis on the potoos (Nyctibiidae) . Mol Phylogenet Evol , 6 : 228 – 244 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mayr , G . 1999 . A new trogon from the middle Oligocene of Cérèste, France . Auk , 116 : 427 – 434 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mayr , G . 2000 . Tiny hoopoe-like birds from the middle Eocene of Messel (Germany) . Auk , 117 : 968 – 974 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mayr , G . 2001a . “ Comments on the osteology of Masillapodargus longipes Mayr 1999 and Parafica major Mayr 1999, caprimulgiform birds from the middle Eocene of Messel (Hessen, Germany) ” . In Neues jahrbuch geologie palaeontologie monatshefte Vol. 2001 , 65 – 76 .
   Google Scholar
• Mayr , G . 2001b . The earliest fossil record of a modern-type piciform bird from the late Oligocene of Germany . J Ornithol , 142 : 2 – 6 .
   Google Scholar
• Mayr , G . 2002 . Osteological evidence for paraphyly of the avian order Caprimulgiformes (nightjars and allies) . J Ornithol , 143 : 82 – 97 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mayr , G . 2005 . The Paleogene fossil record of birds in Europe . Biol Rev , 80 : 1 – 28 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mayr , G and Manegold , A . 2004 . The oldest fossil songbird from the early Oligocene of Germany . Naturwissenschaften , 91 : 173 – 177 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mayr , G and Peters , DS . 1998 . The mousebirds (Aves: Coliiformes) from the middle Eocene of Grube Messel (Hessen Germany) . Senckenbergiana lethaea , 78 : 179 – 197 .
   Google Scholar
• Mayr , G and Peters , DS . 1999 . “ On the systematic position of the middle Eocene swift Aegialornis szarskii Peters 1985 with description of a new swift-like bird from Messel (Aves: Apodiformes) ” . In Neues jahrbuch geologie palaeontologie monatshefte Vol. 1999 , 312 – 320 .
   Google Scholar
• Mayr , G and Smith , R . 2001 . Duck, rails, and limicoline waders from the lowermost Oligocene of Belgium . Geobios , 34 : 547 – 561 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Meng , J and McKenna , MC . 1998 . Faunal turnovers of Palaeogene mammals from the Mongolian Plateau . Nature , 394 : 364 – 367 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Miyaki , CY , Matioli , SR , Burke , T and Wajntal , A . 1998 . Parrot evolution and paleogeographical events: Mitochondrial DNA evidence . Mol Biol Evol , 15 : 544 – 551 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mlikovski , J . 2002 . Cenozoic birds of the world, Part 1: Europe , Prague : Ninox Press .
   Google Scholar
• Mooers , AO and Heard , SB . 1997 . Inferring evolutionary process from phylogenetic tree shape . Q Rev Biol , 72 : 31 – 54 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Morony , JJ , Bock , WJ and Farrand , J . 1975 . “ Reference list of the birds of the world ” . In Publications of the American museum of natural history , New York : Department of Ornithology .
   Google Scholar
• Mourer-Chauviré , C . 1978 . La pouche à phosphate de Sainte-Neboule (Lot) et sa faune de vertébrés du Ludien superieur. 6. Oiseaux . Paleovertebrata , 8 : 217 – 229 .
   Google Scholar
• Mourer-Chauviré , C . 1982 . Les Oiseaux fossiles des phosphorites du Quercy (upper Eocene to lower Oligocene): Implications paleobiogeographiques . Geobios Mem Spec , 6 : 413 – 426 .
   Google Scholar
• Mourer-Chauviré , C . 1987 . Les Strigiformes (Aves) des phosphorites du Quercy (France): systematique, biostratigraphie et paleobiogeography . Docum Lab Geol Lyon , 99 : 89 – 135 .
   Google Scholar
• Mourer-Chauviré , C . 1988 . Le gisement du Bretou (phosporites du Quercy Tarn-et-Garonne, France) et sa fauna de vertébrés de l'Eocène supérieur. II Oiseaux . Paleontographica (A) , 205 : 29 – 50 .
   Google Scholar
• Mourer-Chauviré , C . 1991 . Les Horusornithidae nov. fam Accipitriformes (Aves) a articulation intertarsienne hyperflexible de l'Eocène du Quercy . Geobios Mem Spec , 13 : 183 – 192 .
   Google Scholar
• Mourer-Chauviré , C . 1992 . Un ganga primitif (Aves: Columbiformes, Pteroclidae) de très grande taille dans le paléogène des Phosphorites du Quercy (France) . CR Acad Sci Ser (2A) , 314 : 229 – 335 .
   Google Scholar
• Murphy , PC , Torick , LL , Bay , ES , Chandler , R and Evanoff , E . 2001 . “ Taphonomy, fauna, and depositional environment of the Omomys Quarry, an unusual accumulation from the Bridger Formation (Middle Eocene) of Southwestern Wyoming USA ” . In Eocene biodiversity; unusual occurrences and rarely sampled habitats , Edited by: Gunnell , GF . 361 – 402 . New York : Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers .
   Google Scholar
• Noriega , JI and Tambussi , CP . 1995 . A Late Cretaceous Presbyornithidae (Aves: Anseriformes) from Vega Island, antarctic peninsula: Paleobiogeographic implications . Ameghiniana , 32 : 57 – 61 .
   Google Scholar
• Olson , SL . 1985 . The fossil record of birds , Edited by: Farner , D . 80 – 238 . London : Academic Press . Avian Biology
   Google Scholar
• Olson , SL . 1987 . An early Eocene oilbird from the Green River formation of Wyoming (Caprimulgiformes: Steatornithidae) . Docum Lab Geol Lyon , 99 : 57 – 69 .
   Google Scholar
• Olson , SL and Parris , DC . 1987 . The Cretaceous birds of New Jersey . Smithsonian Contrib Paleobiol , 63 : 1 – 22 .
   Google Scholar
• Paton , T , Haddrath , O and Baker , AJ . 2002 . Complete mitochondrial DNA genome sequences show that modern birds are not descended from transitional shorebirds . Proc R Soc Lond B , 269 : 839 – 846 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Paton , TA , Baker , AJ , Groth , J and Barrowclough , GF . 2003 . RAG-1 sequences resolve phylogenetic relationships within charadriiform birds . Mol Phylogenet Evol , 29 : 268 – 278 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Penny , D and Philips , MJ . 2003 . The rise of birds and mammals: Are microevolutionary processes sufficient for macroevolution? . Trends Ecol Evol , 19 : 516 – 522 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Peters , DS . 1994 . Messelastur gratulator n. spec. n. gen., ein Griefvogel aus der Grube Messel (Aves: Accipitridae) . Courier Forschunginstitut Senckenberg , 170 : 3 – 9 .
   Google Scholar
• Prothero , DR and Berggren , WA . 1992 . Eocene–Oligocene climatic and biotic evolution , Princeton : Princeton University Press .
   Google Scholar
• Randi , E , Fusco , G , Lorenzini , R and Spina , F . 1991 . Allozyme divergence and phylogenetic-relationships within the strigiformes . Condor , 93 : 295 – 301 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Rasmussen , DT , Olson , SL and Simons , EL . 1987 . Fossil birds from the Oligocene Jebel Qatrani formation, Fayum Province, Egypt . Smithsonian Contrib Paleobiol , 62 : 1 – 20 .
   Google Scholar
• Raup , DM . 1995 . “ The role of extinction in evolution ” . In Tempo and mode in evolution: Genetics and paleontology 50 years after Simpson , Edited by: Fitch , WM and Ayala , FJ . 109 – 124 . Washington, DC : National Academy Press .
   Google Scholar
• Reisz , RR . 1997 . The origin and early evolutionary history of amniotes . Trends Ecol Evol , 12 : 218 – 222 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Shapiro , B , Sibthorpe , D , Rambaut , A , Austin , J , Wragg , GM , Bininda-Emonds , ORP , Lee , PLM and Cooper , A . 2002 . Flight of the dodo . Science , 295 : 1683
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Sibley , CG and Ahlquist , JE . 1990 . Phylogeny and classification of birds: A study in molecular evolution , New Haven : Yale University Press .
   Google Scholar
• Sibley , CG and Monroe , BL Jr. 1990 . Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world , New Haven : Yale University Press .
   Google Scholar
• Smith , AB and Peterson , KJ . 2002 . Dating the time of origin of major clades: Molecular clocks and the fossil record . Annu Rev Earth Planet Sci , 30 : 65 – 88 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Sorenson , MD , Oneal , E , Garcia-Moreno , J and Mindell , DP . 2003 . More taxa, more characters: The Hoatzin problem is still unresolved . Mol Biol Evol , 20 : 1484 – 1498 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Springer , MS , Murphy , WJ , Eizirik , E and O'Brien , SJ . 2003 . Placental mammal diversification and the K–T boundary . Proc Natl Acad Sci USA , 100 : 1056 – 1061 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Stidham , TA . 1998 . A lower jaw from a Cretaceous parrot . Nature , 396 : 29 – 30 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Stidham , TA . The origin and ecological diversification of modern birds: Evidence from the extinct wading ducks, Presbyornithidae (Neornithes: Anseriformes) . PhD thesis . Berkeley : University of California .
   Google Scholar
• Tambussi , CP . 1995 . Fossil Rheiformes of Argentina . Courier Forschunginstitut Senckenberg , 181 : 121 – 129 .
   Google Scholar
• Unwin , DM . 1993 . The fossil record , Edited by: Benton , MJ . London : Chapman and Hall . Aves
   Google Scholar
• Van Tuinen , M , Butvill , DB , Kirsch , JAW and Hedges , SB . 2001 . Convergence and divergence in the evolution of aquatic birds . Proc R Soc Lond B , 268 : 1345 – 1350 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Van Tuinen , M and Dyke , GJ . 2004 . Calibration of galliform molecular clocks using multiple fossils and genetic partitions . Mol Phylogenet Evol , 30 : 74 – 86 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Van Tuinen , M and Hadly , EA . 2004 . Error in estimation of rate and time inferred from the early amniote fossil record and avian molecular clocks . J Mol Evol , 59 : 267 – 276 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Van Tuinen , M and Hedges , SB . 2001 . Calibration of avian molecular clocks . Mol Biol Evol , 18 : 206 – 213 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Van Tuinen , M and Hedges , SB . 2004 . The effect of external and internal fossil calibrations on the avian evolutionary timescale . J Paleontol , 78 : 45 – 50 .
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Van Tuinen , M , Ramakrishnan , U and Hadly , EA . 2004 . Investigating the effect of environmental change on biotic evolution: Genetic contributions, current work and future developments . Philos Trans R Soc Lond: Phys Math Eng Sci , 362 : 2795 – 2820 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Van Tuinen , M , Sibley , CG and Hedges , SB . 2000 . The early history of modern birds inferred from DNA sequence of mitochondrial and nuclear ribosomal genes . Mol Biol Evol , 17 : 451 – 457 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Vickers-Rich , P and Bohaska , DJ . 1976 . The world's oldest owl: A new strigiform from the Paleocene of Southwestern Colorado . Smithsonian Contrib Paleobiol , 27 : 87 – 93 .
   Google Scholar
• Weigel , RD . 1963 . Oligocene birds from Saskatchewan . Q J Fla Acad Sci , 26 : 257 – 262 .
   Google Scholar
• Wilf , P , Johnson , KR and Huber , BT . 2003 . Correlated terrestrial and marine evidence for global climate changes before mass extinction at the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary . Proc Natl Acad Sci USA , 100 : 599 – 604 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Wink , M . 1995 . Phylogeny of old and new-world vultures (Aves, Accipitridae and Cathartidae) inferred from nucleotide-sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene . Zeitschrift fuer Naturforschung , 50 : 868 – 882 .
   Google Scholar
• Wink , M and Heidrich , P . 1999 . “ Molecular evolution and systematics of the owls (Strigiformes) ” . In Owls: A guide to the owls of the world , Edited by: Konig , C , Wieck , F and Becking , JH . 39 – 57 . Sussex : Pica Press .
   Google Scholar
• Wyles , JS , Kunkel , JG and Wilson , AC . 1983 . Birds, behavior, and anatomical evolution . Proc Natl Acad Sci USA , 80 : 4394 – 4397 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zachos , J , Pagani , M , Sloan , L , Thomas , E and Billups , K . 2001 . Trends, rythms, and aberrations in global climate 65 Ma to present . Science , 292 : 686 – 693 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar