Author

Brett W. Benz

University of Michigan

Listed by name: these papers carry no ORCID for this author, so different people with the same name may be mixed together.

Biology Disciplines

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Evolutionary Biology· 3 Genomics· 1 Zoology· 1

Signature Assays, Organisms & Methods

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Approach:statistical model· 4 Organism:multiple species· 3 Assay:DNA methylation· 2 Research Focus:cell type annotation· 1 Approach:deep learning· 1 Research Focus:differential expression· 1 Approach:experimental assay· 1 Research Focus:gene regulatory network inference· 1

Frequent Co-Authors

Brian C. WeeksiD· 2 shared Abigail A. KimmittiD· 1 shared Alexander SuhiD· 1 shared Andrew W. JonesiD· 1 shared Benjamin M. WingeriD· 1 shared Bent PeterseniD· 1 shared Brant C. FairclothiD· 1 shared Brian Tilston SmithiD· 1 shared

Activity by Year

2015-2025 · peak 3/yr

Co-Author Collaboration Network

10 top collaborators · 11 mutual co-author links

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2 shared papersEvolutionary Biology

Brian C. WeeksORCID

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Author profile →

5 papers

Recent·Most cited

Efficient Inference of Macrophylogenies: Insights from the Avian Tree of Life

Min Zhao, Gregory Thom, Brant C. Faircloth, Michael J. Andersen, F. Keith Barker, Brett W. Benz, Michael J. Braun, Gustavo A. Bravo, Robb Thomas Brumfield, R. Terry Chesser, Elizabeth P. Derryberry, Travis C. Glenn, Michael G. Harvey, Peter A. Hosner, Tyler S Imfeld, , Brian Tilston Smith

This study evaluates methods for inferring large-scale avian phylogenies, finding that fast tree search approaches balance computational efficiency and accuracy.

Systematic Biology · Nov 8, 2025Peer-reviewedEvolutionary Biology

Skeletal trait measurements for thousands of bird species

Brian C. Weeks, Zhizhuo Zhou, Charlotte M. Probst, Jacob S. Berv, Bruce K. O'Brien, Brett W. Benz, Heather R. Skeen, Mark Ziebell, Louise Bodt, David F. Fouhey

The paper uses computer vision to measure skeletal traits in bird species, creating a dataset of 12 skeletal elements from 14,419 individuals across 2,057 species, and imputes missing data using phylogenetic relationships.

Scientific Data · May 28, 2025Peer-reviewedEvolutionary Biology

Population genetic consequences of the seasonal migrations of birds

Teresa M. Pegan, Abigail A. Kimmitt, Brett W. Benz, Brian C. Weeks, Yves Aubry, Theresa M. Burg, Jocelyn Hudon, Andrew W. Jones, Jeremy J. Kirchman, Kristen Ruegg, Benjamin M. Winger

This study uses genome data from 35 bird species to show that long-distance migration promotes genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure due to philopatry, not dispersal.

Nature Ecology & Evolution · May 20, 2025Peer-reviewedEvolutionary Biology

Genome analyses show strong selection on coloration, morphological and behavioral phenotypes in birds-of-paradise

Stefan Prost, Ellie E. Armstrong, Johan A. A. Nylander, Gregg W.C. Thomas, Alexander Suh, Bent Petersen, Love Dalén, Brett W. Benz, Mozes P. K. Blom, Eleftheria Palkopoulou, Per G. P. Ericson, Martin Irestedt

The paper sequenced genomes of birds-of-paradise to identify genomic changes linked to their phenotypic diversity, finding strong selection on coloration, morphology, and sensory systems.

bioRxiv · May 16, 2018 · PreprintGenomics

Phylogenetic relationships of the Helmeted Woodpecker (Dryocopus galeatus): A case of interspecific mimicry?

Brett W. Benz, Mark B. Robbins, Kevin J. Zimmer

This paper investigates plumage convergence in Helmeted Woodpeckers and suggests taxonomic reclassification based on phylogenetic analysis and mimicry hypotheses.

bioRxiv · Jul 31, 2015Zoology