My research interests encompass avian studies of population genetics, speciation, hybridization, biogeography, systematics, and behavior. I am particularly interested in elucidating the processes that result in the genetic and morphological differentiation of populations, because, these are the same forces that result in the differences we observe between species at higher taxonomic levels. I also think it is important to place genetic variation in the context of the actual birds that interact with the environment and with each other. Hence, field studies of behavior and specimen-based studies of morphological variation are an important component of my research program.
Brumfield, R. T., P. Beerli, D. A. Nickerson, and S. V. Edwards. 2003. The utility of single nucleotide polymorphisms in inferences of population history. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 18:249-256.
Weicker, J., R. T. Brumfield, and K. Winker. 2001. Estimating the unbiased estimator q for population genetic survey data. Evolution 55:2601-2605.
Brumfield, R. T., R. W. Jernigan, D. B. McDonald, and M. J. Braun. 2001. Evolutionary implications of divergent clines in an avian (Manacus; Aves) hybrid zone. Evolution 55:2070-2087.
McDonald, D. B., M. J. Braun, R. T. Brumfield, and R. P. Clay. 2001. Sexual selection on plumage and behavior in an avian hybrid zone: experimental tests of male-male interactions. Evolution 55:1443-1451.
Brumfield, R. T., and M. J. Braun. 2001. Phylogenetic relationships in bearded manakins (Pipridae; Manacus) indicate that male plumage color is a misleading taxonomic marker. Condor 103:248-258.
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