300323 VO Current topics in vertebrate systematics (2006W)

Basic ideas and methods of molecular evolutionary genetics and systematics will be illustrated from current topics of vertebrate systematics. The taxonomic spectrum ranges from the high level systematics of mammals, birds and reptiles, systematics at genus (e.g., birds of prey) and species level (e.g., bats), to population genetics (e.g., Austrian brown bear). Exemplified by the results of recent research the following issues will be addressed: the meaning of homology in molecular biology, molecular markers (sequence analyses, mikrosatellites), "ancient DNA", the mechanisms of molecular evolution, phylogenetic trees, phylogeography, convergence, species concepts and speciation.