title: Does the diversification rate of endemic birds of mainland China follow abrupt, gradual shifting or constant patterns?
abstract: In this brief report, time-varying (including both gradual and abrupt change) and time-constant diversification models are fitted on a phylogeny of endemic birds of mainland China to test the diversification patterns of endemic birds in the region. The results show that phylogeny of endemic birds is best quantified by a constant-rate diversification model through model comparison. Limitations of the study are discussed. In particular, ignorance of non-endemic taxa and the limited sampling of endemic taxa could influence the conclusions of the study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: Youhua
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D005075:Biological Evolution; D001717:Birds / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D002681:China; D049810:Genetic Speciation; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010802:Phylogeny; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: adaptive evolution; avian endemism; diversification analysis; macroevolution