Related Links

USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

Education

Ph.D., Louisiana State University. (1995)
B.A., Georgia State University. (1982)

Research Interests

My research focuses on avian systematics, evolution, and biogeography. Current interests include: (1) systematics and evolution of the Furnariidae (ovenbirds) and other suboscine birds; (2) South American biogeography, especially of the Andean and Amazonian regions; (3) biogeography and ecology of South American austral migrants; (4) coevolution of phabine pigeons (Phabini) and their feather lice; (5) systematics and biogeography of the Turnicidae (buttonquail); (6) phylogeography and movement patterns of Australian waterbirds; and (7) systematics and biogeography of a variety of other Australian and Australasian bird and mammal groups.

Selected Publications

Chesser, R. T. 2005. Seasonal distribution and ecology of South American austral migrant flycatchers. Pp. 168-181 in Birds of Two Worlds (R. Greenberg and P. P. Marra, eds.), Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD.

Chesser, R. T. 2004. Systematics, evolution, and biogeography of the South American ovenbird genus Cinclodes. Auk 121:752-766. [PDF]

Chesser, R. T. 2004. Molecular systematics of New World suboscine birds. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 32:11-24. [PDF]

Chesser, R. T. 2000. Evolution in the high Andes: the phylogenetics of Muscisaxicola ground-tyrants. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 15:369-380. [PDF]

Chesser, R. T. 1999. Molecular systematics of the rhinocryptid genus Pteroptochos. Condor 101:439-446. [PDF]

Chesser, R. T. and D. J. Levey. 1998. Austral migrants and the evolution of migration in New World birds: diet, habitat, and migration revisited. American Naturalist 152:311-319. [PDF]

Chesser, R. T. 1998. Further perspectives on the breeding distribution of migratory birds: South American austral migrant flycatchers. Journal of Animal Ecology 67:69-77. [PDF]

Chesser, R. T. 1997. Patterns of seasonal and geographic distribution of austral migrant flycatchers in Bolivia. Ornithological Monographs 48:171-204.

Chesser, R. T. 1995. Comparative diets of obligate ant-following birds at a site in northern Bolivia. Biotropica 27:382-390.

Chesser, R. T. and R. M. Zink. 1994. Modes of speciation in birds: a test of Lynch’s method. Evolution 48:490-497.