The Vertebrate Department The research at the Vertebrate
Department covers a broad range of topics, including applied
aspects. Birds and mammals are generally well known with respect
to species and races, and the research is therefore more focused
on understanding how species evolve, and analyzing evolutionary
relationships and biogeography, largely based on DNA data.
However, there is also focus on ecology and better management of
populations, and the bird section is managing the ringing of
birds in Denmark and Greenland, and studying bird migration and
how birds find their way. With respect to reptiles, amphibian
and fish there is more focus on generic revisions and
description of new taxa. The department also includes a section
which, based on excavations in Denmark and Greenland, deals with
distribution and evolution of animals during the Quaternary;
this includes the early history of the domesticated animals. In
collaboration with Center for Macroecology, Biological Institute
the department has developed