Bradley C. Livezey
Encyclopedia
Bradley Curtis Livezey (15 June 1954 – 8 February 2011) was an American ornithologist. His main research included the evolution of flightless bird
s, the ecology and the behaviour of steamer ducks, genetic analysis of birds, and avian diseases.
Livezey was born in Massachusetts
but grew up mostly in Chicago
. He often moved during his childhood. His interest in birds was developed early. Livezey graduated to Bachelor of Science
at the Oregon State University
in 1976. In 1979 he earned his first Master of Science
degree at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
in wildlife
ecology
and in 1984 his second in mathematics
at the University of Kansas
. In 1985 he promoted to Ph.D.
with his thesis
Systematics and flightlessness of steamer-ducks (Anatidae: Tachyeres) at the University of Kansas
.
A large part of Livezey's research work dealt with controversial areas of the phylogenetics
and taxonomy of birds. While Livezey's colleagues often used DNA analysis to support their research work Livezey demonstrated a more traditional approach based on exhaustive studies of the shape and the characteristics of bones. General interests included phylogenetic relationships of avian families, phylogenetic relationships of waterfowl, evolution of avian flightlessness, comparative osteology of birds, multivariate morphometrics, and avian paleontology
In 1993 Dr. Livezey was employed at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History
in Pittsburgh. As curator of the birds department he oversaw around 195,000 bird specimens, the ninth largest bird collection in the United States.
On 8 February 2011 Livezey died in a two-car collision caused by icy road conditions on the Pennsylvania Route 910
near his home in Wexford, Pennsylvania
.
Brad Livezeys sister Alyson Hartmann lives in Flossmoor, Illinois
and his brother Kent Livezey in Puyallup, Washington
.
Flightless bird
Flightless birds are birds which lack the ability to fly, relying instead on their ability to run or swim. They are thought to have evolved from flying ancestors. There are about forty species in existence today, the best known being the ostrich, emu, cassowary, rhea, kiwi, and penguin...
s, the ecology and the behaviour of steamer ducks, genetic analysis of birds, and avian diseases.
Livezey was born in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
but grew up mostly in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. He often moved during his childhood. His interest in birds was developed early. Livezey graduated to Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
at the Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
in 1976. In 1979 he earned his first Master of Science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
degree at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
in wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative....
ecology
Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
and in 1984 his second in mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
at the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
. In 1985 he promoted to Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
with his thesis
Thesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
Systematics and flightlessness of steamer-ducks (Anatidae: Tachyeres) at the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
.
A large part of Livezey's research work dealt with controversial areas of the phylogenetics
Phylogenetics
In biology, phylogenetics is the study of evolutionary relatedness among groups of organisms , which is discovered through molecular sequencing data and morphological data matrices...
and taxonomy of birds. While Livezey's colleagues often used DNA analysis to support their research work Livezey demonstrated a more traditional approach based on exhaustive studies of the shape and the characteristics of bones. General interests included phylogenetic relationships of avian families, phylogenetic relationships of waterfowl, evolution of avian flightlessness, comparative osteology of birds, multivariate morphometrics, and avian paleontology
In 1993 Dr. Livezey was employed at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Carnegie Museum of Natural History, located at 4400 Forbes Avenue in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, was founded by the Pittsburgh-based industrialist Andrew Carnegie in 1896...
in Pittsburgh. As curator of the birds department he oversaw around 195,000 bird specimens, the ninth largest bird collection in the United States.
On 8 February 2011 Livezey died in a two-car collision caused by icy road conditions on the Pennsylvania Route 910
Pennsylvania Route 910
Pennsylvania Route 910 is an east–west state highway in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area...
near his home in Wexford, Pennsylvania
Wexford, Pennsylvania
Wexford is an unincorporated community in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The area known as Wexford is split among multiple municipalities, including Franklin Park, McCandless, Pine Township, and Marshall Township...
.
Brad Livezeys sister Alyson Hartmann lives in Flossmoor, Illinois
Flossmoor, Illinois
Flossmoor is a village in south suburban Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 9,464 at the 2010 census.The village is renowned for the quality and architectural variety of its housing stock, as well as its proximity to numerous country clubs. It prides itself on being a...
and his brother Kent Livezey in Puyallup, Washington
Puyallup, Washington
Puyallup, Washington is a city in Pierce County, Washington about five miles east of Tacoma. The population was 37,022 at the 2010 Census. Named after the Puyallup Tribe of Native Americans, Puyallup means "the generous people."-History:...
.
Works (selected)
- 1992: Taxonomy and identification of steamer-ducks (Anatidae : Tachyeres). Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas
- 2003: Evolution of Flightlessness in Rails (Gruiformes: Rallidae): Phylogenetic, Ecomorphological, and Ontogenetic Perspectives. Ornithological Monographs No. 53
- 2007: Higher-order phylogeny of modern birds (Theropoda, Aves: Neornithes) based on comparative anatomy. II. Analysis and discussion (with Richard Laurence Zusi). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 149: 1–95.