Our research is focused on the processes and patterns of phylogeography of terrestrial vertebrates, especially birds and mammals.
What is phylogeography?
Phylogeography is fast growing discipline in the context of biogeography. It is also known molecular biogeography, and actually it means the phylogenetic analysis of organismal data in the context of the geographic distribution of the organism (Hickerson et al., 2010). For details, please follow link 1. Wikipedia description of phylogeography can be found in this link.
Link 1: Joseph L. & Omland K. E. 2009. Phylogeography: its development and impact in Australo-Papuan ornithology with special reference to paraphyly in Australian birds. Emu. 109: 1-23.
Some of our studies focused on phylogeography of non-passerine bird species (e.g. woodpeckers) and passerine bird species (e.g. nuthatches, finches).
Woodpecker Phylogeography – Couple of phylogeography papers focused on different old world woodpecker species [Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis), Great-spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)] have been published. These species are mostly resident non-passerine birds, and their distribution patterns are usually affected by climate. Therefore, climatic fluctuations have affected their genetic patterns. For details, please follow these links:
Link 2: Perktas, U., Barrowclough, G. F. & Groth, J. G. 2011. Phylogeography and species limits in the green woodpecker complex (Aves: Picidae): multiple Pleistocene refugia and range expansion across Europe and the Near East. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 104: 710-723.
Link 3: Perktas U. & Quintero E. 2013. A wide geographical survey of mitochondrial DNA variation in the great spotted woodpecker complex, Dendrocopos major (Aves: Picidae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 108: 173-188.
Some of our phylogeographic studies include statistical phylogeography approaches together with ecological niche modeling. At that point, it is better to answer this question:
What is ecological niche modeling (or species distribution modeling)?
Ecological niche modelling, alternatively known as species distribution modelling, refers to the process of using computer algorithms to predict the distribution of species in geographic space on the basis of their known distribution in environmental space. These models are used in several research areas in conservation biology, ecology and evolution. In general, combining ecological niche modelling and phylogeography is robust way to understand historical demography of the species. If we look to the past, we cab predict to the future for (maybe) any species... Ecological niche modelling together with phylogeography is one of the robust methodological way for this kind of evaluation. Here is the recent example of this case:
Link 4: Perktas, U., Gür, H., Sağlam, İ. K. & Quintero E. 2015. Climate-driven range shifts and demographic events over the history of Kruper's Nuthatch Sitta krueperi. Bird Study. 62: 14-28
What is phylogeography?
Phylogeography is fast growing discipline in the context of biogeography. It is also known molecular biogeography, and actually it means the phylogenetic analysis of organismal data in the context of the geographic distribution of the organism (Hickerson et al., 2010). For details, please follow link 1. Wikipedia description of phylogeography can be found in this link.
Link 1: Joseph L. & Omland K. E. 2009. Phylogeography: its development and impact in Australo-Papuan ornithology with special reference to paraphyly in Australian birds. Emu. 109: 1-23.
Some of our studies focused on phylogeography of non-passerine bird species (e.g. woodpeckers) and passerine bird species (e.g. nuthatches, finches).
Woodpecker Phylogeography – Couple of phylogeography papers focused on different old world woodpecker species [Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis), Great-spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)] have been published. These species are mostly resident non-passerine birds, and their distribution patterns are usually affected by climate. Therefore, climatic fluctuations have affected their genetic patterns. For details, please follow these links:
Link 2: Perktas, U., Barrowclough, G. F. & Groth, J. G. 2011. Phylogeography and species limits in the green woodpecker complex (Aves: Picidae): multiple Pleistocene refugia and range expansion across Europe and the Near East. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 104: 710-723.
Link 3: Perktas U. & Quintero E. 2013. A wide geographical survey of mitochondrial DNA variation in the great spotted woodpecker complex, Dendrocopos major (Aves: Picidae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 108: 173-188.
Some of our phylogeographic studies include statistical phylogeography approaches together with ecological niche modeling. At that point, it is better to answer this question:
What is ecological niche modeling (or species distribution modeling)?
Ecological niche modelling, alternatively known as species distribution modelling, refers to the process of using computer algorithms to predict the distribution of species in geographic space on the basis of their known distribution in environmental space. These models are used in several research areas in conservation biology, ecology and evolution. In general, combining ecological niche modelling and phylogeography is robust way to understand historical demography of the species. If we look to the past, we cab predict to the future for (maybe) any species... Ecological niche modelling together with phylogeography is one of the robust methodological way for this kind of evaluation. Here is the recent example of this case:
Link 4: Perktas, U., Gür, H., Sağlam, İ. K. & Quintero E. 2015. Climate-driven range shifts and demographic events over the history of Kruper's Nuthatch Sitta krueperi. Bird Study. 62: 14-28