J. V. Remsen, Jr.

Professor, and
Curator of Birds and McIlhenny Distinguished Professor of Natural Science
Museum of Natural Science
Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 1978
Ornithology

najames@lsu.edu

I study the ecology, evolution, and biogeography of Neotropical birds, particularly those of the Andes and the Amazon basin. I concentrate on investigating how and why tropical birds differ from their temperate-latitude counterparts, especially with respect to foraging behavior, habitat selection, and patterns of geographic variation. My current major project, with Robb Brumfield and Santiago Claramunt, examines patterns of evolution in a phylogenetic framework within a family of tropical birds, the Furnariidae, which shows unparalleled diversity in these variables. I also work on what might best be called “applied phylogenetics,” namely using phylogenetic data to change traditional bird classifications. I have a secondary interest in the biogeography and timing of migration in both tropical and Louisiana birds.

Selected Publications

McGuire, J. A., C. C. Witt, D. L. Altshuler, & J. V. Remsen, Jr. 2007. Phylogenetic systematics and biogeography of hummingbirds: Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses of partitioned data and selection of an appropriate partitioning strategy. Systematic Biology 56: 837-856.

Cicero, C., & J. V. Remsen, Jr. (eds.) 2007. Festschrift to Ned K. Johnson: geographic variation and evolution in birds. Ornithological Monographs 63: 1-114

Remsen, J. V., Jr. 2005. Pattern, process, and rigor meet classification. Auk 122: 403-413.

Remsen, J. V., Jr. 2003. The "Coerebidae": a polyphyletic taxon that dramatizes historical over-emphasis on bill shape as a taxonomic character. J. Avian Biology 34: 321-323.

Remsen, J. V., Jr. 2003. Family Furnariidae (ovenbirds). Pp. 162-357 in "Handbook of the Birds of the World," Vol. 8. Broadbills to Tapaculos (del Hoyo, J. et al., eds.). Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Remsen, J. V., Jr. 2001. True winter range of the Veery (Catharus fuscescens): lessons for determining winter ranges of species that winter in the tropics. Auk 118: 838-848.

Johnson, N. K., Remsen, J. V., Jr., & C. Cicero. 1999. Resolution of the debate over species concepts in ornithology: a new comprehensive biologic species concept. Pp. 1470-1482 in Proceedings 22nd International Ornithological Congress, Durban. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg.


Return to the faculty index...