Richard O. Prum – The evolution of feathers

Field problem presented: Brian Cassie – Does Massachusetts end?

Professor Richard Prum, Curator of Ornithology in the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History and Head Curator of Vertebrate Zoology, is an evolutionary ornithologist with broad interests in diverse topics, including phylogenetics, behavior, feathers, structural color, evolution and development, sexual selection, and historical biogeography.

His recent research has focused on theoretical and molecular studies of the development and evolution of feathers, developing and applying new tools for the study of the physics and evolution of structural coloration, and continued efforts in phylogenetic ethology of polygynous birds. He has conducted field work throughout the Neotropics and in Madagascar, and has studied fossil theropods in China.