Abstract

Evolution on islands has fascinated generations of biologists. While weird and wonderful organisms are known from islands, repeated evolution is also a feature of island biota. The island syndrome refers to the phenomenon where suites of characteristics evolve in predictable ways after an organism colonises an island. How evolution produces these repeated patterns when islands themselves vary in numerous ways is not yet well understood. Furthermore, repeated evolution on islands stems from repeated dispersal and colonisation opportunities, yet speciation usually requires some phase of isolation. How then can species that are excellent overwater dispersers diverge and speciate? My research examines how birds evolve on islands using the silvereye (Zosterops lateralis) of Australia and the southwest Pacific. This species is a prolific island coloniser, providing the opportunity to examine repeated evolution over multiple timescales and understand how dispersal shapes the evolutionary trajectory of island birds.

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