What can we learn from the Diederik Cuckoo? Concepts in evolutionary biology
What can we learn from the Diederik Cuckoo? Concepts in evolutionary biology
The diederik cuckoo belongs to the family Cuculidae, and one of six subfamilies, the Cuculinae or Old World parasitic cuckoos. Where does this species fit within the Cuculidae, what are its relationships within the subfamily? When did the Cuculidae arise? When did their adaptive radiation occur? When did the genus Chrysococcyx and undergo speciation? What is the evolutionary origin of brood parasitism? what are the hosts for diederik cuckoos, and how does the female know what colour to make the eggs? What is sexual selection and how has it impacted the evolution of diederik cucko morphology and behaviours? Join us on a journey to learn some key concepts of biology from this incredible bird! Derek takes you deep into biology using simplified, ordinary concepts that are easy to understand.
Organizer
Derek was biology professor for over 20 years, and discovered several species new to science (not birds, alas), and even has a species named after him. His studies have encompassed ecology, systematics and phylogeny, as well as technology in education. He has published around 80 academic papers, and more than 100 magazine articles in which he has brought science and nature to lay persons. He has also been a university Deputy Vice Chancellor, held various technology roles in university and business, and is a technology geek. Derek is an accomplished nature photographer on land and under water, with his photos appearing in over 20 books, hundreds of magazines, several mobile apps, and museum exhibits. Today he works in FinTech, but prefers to spend time photographing birds and unravelling their stories so he can re-tell them to humans. He is co-founder and looks after the technology and arrangements for Learn-the-Birds.