Scott M. Lanyon
 Professor and Head
Dept. of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
Bell Museum of Natural History
Ph.D., Louisiana State University, 1985
Contact Information
Phone: 612-624-6291
Fax: 612-624-6777
E-mail: lanyo001@umn.edu
Graduate Faculty Memberships
Conservation Biology; Ecology, Evolution and Behavior
Research Interests
Avian molecular systematics, comparative behavioral evolution, phylogenetic methods
Statement
I am currently engaged in a study of blackbird evolution. I hope to address such diverse questions as the evolution of coloniality, inter- and intra-specific brood parasitism, delayed plumage maturation, sexual size dimorphism, sexual dichromatism, and vocal mimicry with this intrinsically fascinating new world family of birds. To investigate these questions I derive hypotheses of phylogenetic relationship within this assemblage using DNA sequence data. The resultant phylogenies allow me to test the historical component of evolutionary hypotheses as they relate to blackbirds. In addition, a portion of my research program is devoted to advancing the philosophy and methodology of phylogeny reconstruction.
Selected Publications
2000
Klicka, J., K.P. Johnson, and S.M. Lanyon. New World nine-primaried oscine relationships: Constructing a mitochondrial DNA framework. Auk 117:321-336.
Johnson, K.P., S.M. Goodman, and S.M. Lanyon. A Phylogenetic Study of the Malagasy Couas with Insights into Cuckoo Relationships. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 14:436-444.
Omland, K.E. and S.M. Lanyon. Reconstructing Plumage Evolution in Orioles (Icterus): Repeated Convergence and Reversal in Patterns. Evolution 54:2119-2133
Johnson, K., and S.M. Lanyon. Evolutionary changes in color patches of blackbirds are associated with marsh nesting. Behavioral Ecology 11:515-519.
Lanyon, S.M., G.M Murdock, D. Luce. Planning for a Natural History Museum in a University Environment: A Case Study. Curator 43:88-92.
2002
Price, J. and S.M. Lanyon. A robust phylogeny of the oropendolas: Polyphyly revealed by mitochondrial sequence data. Auk 119:335-348.
Price, J. and S. M. Lanyon. Reconstructing the evolution of complex bird song in the oropendolas. Evolution 56(7):1514-1529.
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