The Science & Society Distinguished Public Talks series presents 'High Altitude Adaptation in Andean Birds' with Christopher C. Witt on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 5 p.m. in rm. C of the UNM Conference Center located at 1634 University Blvd. N.E. A meet and greet will also be held prior to the talk at 4:30 p.m. The lecture is free and open to the public. Plenty of free parking is available.
Photo: Christopher C. Witt
Witt is an assistant professor in the UNM biology department and a curator of birds at the Museum of Southwestern Biology. His research interests include avian molecular phylogenetics, biogeography and comparative physiology. Witt specializes in the study of biology and evolution of birds.
Witt will discuss the Andes mountains, which have the highest diversity of birds on the planet by any measure. Underlying this diversity are numerous lineages of lowland birds that have independently colonized high altitude habits since the late-Miocene. High Altitude imposes physiological challenges such as low oxygen availability and low temperature that can lead to adaptation and evolutionary diversification.
Whereas human populations have independently colonized high altitudes in three separate instances over tens of thousands of years, dozens of Andean bird lineages have independently colonized extreme high altitudes over millions of years. Comparing patterns of physiological change in bird and human lineages sheds light on the fundamental nature of adaptation.
Co-sponsored by Albuquerque Section of the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers (IEEE), Sigma Xi (the Scientific Research Society), the Department of Physics & Astronomy, College of Arts & Sciences, University Honors Program, and the Division of Continuing Education.
Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu
Posted by scarr at October 12, 2009 09:21 AM