How an evolutionary perspective makes understanding avian molt less daunting.
Presented by Peter Pyle on March 27th, 2024
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In a recent paper in the Journal of Avian Biology entitled "Moult terminology: envisioning an evolutionary approach", Peter Pyle and co-authors propose, illustrate, and discuss how molt strategies may have evolved across avian lineages. Staunch advocates of the Humphrey-Parkes (H-P) system of molt and plumage terminology, they aim to familiarize readers with this system and increase their understanding of its evolutionary framework. In this webinar, Peter Pyle will discuss how the four main molt strategies defined by Howell et al. (2003) may have evolved along lineages of an evolutionary tree. An evolutionary perspective makes the endeavor of understanding avian molt less daunting. "Once one envisions the evolutionary bases of H-P, the categorization and study of molts becomes much less confusing, much more satisfying, and actually rather enjoyable," says Pyle.