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Details of Award

NERC Reference : NER/B/S/2003/00768

The evolutionary history of New Zealand's extinct giant raptors.

Grant Award

Principal Investigator:
Professor A Cooper, University of Oxford, Zoology
Co-Investigator:
Dr M Bunce, University of Oxford, Biology
Science Area:
Terrestrial
Earth
Overall Classification:
Terrestrial
ENRIs:
Global Change
Biodiversity
Science Topics:
Palaeobiology
Quaternary Science
Population Genetics/Evolution
Climate & Climate Change
Abstract:
Ancient DNA will be used to reconstruct the evolutionary and paleoecological relationships of the extinct giant raptors of New Zealand; Haasts eagle, NZ harrier and Chatham island eagle. Advanced phylogenetic analyses will be used to examine the origins of both taxa, using outgoups obtained from museum and modern samples. Preliminary data already demonstrates that Haasts eagle, the largest known raptor (15kg), is closely related to small bird hunting eagles, a finding in direct contrast to morphological analyses. Evolutionary phenomena such as gigantism, and parallel morphological evolution in response to climate change (Holocene dwarfing), will be analysed by contrasting the genetics of populations on both islands of New Zealand, and carbon-dating specimens. Dietary isotopic signals will be used to examine ecological partitioning, and possible causes of morphological changes. The distribution of phylogeographic and (sub) species barriers will be examined, and their ages determined using a raptor-specific molecular evolutionary rate generated from the AMS carbon-dated specimens, and related to known paleoecological events, dietary data, and the paleoenvironment. This molecular rate will be applicable to studies of birds of prey elsewhere in the world. The research will establish the first detailed view of the extinct top predators of New Zealand, and will be important in understanding and combating current ecological alterations caused by introduced mammals.
Period of Award:
1 Mar 2004 - 28 Feb 2005
Value:
£25,451
Authorised funds only
NERC Reference:
NER/B/S/2003/00768
Grant Stage:
Completed
Scheme:
Small Grants Pre FEC
Grant Status:
Closed
Programme:
Small Grants

This grant award has a total value of £25,451  

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FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)

Total - T&STotal - Other Costs
£1,824£23,626

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