
Phylogenetic Comparative Methods: A User's Guide for Paleontologists
A User's Guide for Paleontologists
Cambridge University Press
Published on 27. May 2021
Book
Paperback/Softback
64 pages
978-1-108-79468-8 (ISBN)
Description
Recent advances in statistical approaches called phylogenetic comparative methods (PCMs) have provided paleontologists with a powerful set of analytical tools for investigating evolutionary tempo and mode in fossil lineages. However, attempts to integrate PCMs with fossil data often present workers with practical challenges or unfamiliar literature. This Element presents guides to the theory behind and the application of PCMs with fossil taxa. Based on an empirical dataset of Paleozoic crinoids, example analyses are presented to illustrate common applications of PCMs to fossil data, including investigating patterns of correlated trait evolution and macroevolutionary models of morphological change. The authors emphasize the importance of accounting for sources of uncertainty and discuss how to evaluate model fit and adequacy. Finally, the authors discuss several promising methods for modeling heterogeneous evolutionary dynamics with fossil phylogenies. Integrating phylogeny-based approaches with the fossil record provides a rigorous, quantitative perspective on understanding key patterns in the history of life.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 4 mm
Weight
108 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-108-79468-8 (9781108794688)
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E-Book
05/2021
Cambridge University Press
€14.49
Available for download

Laura C. Soul | David F. Wright
Phylogenetic Comparative Methods: A User's Guide for Paleontologists
E-Book
05/2021
Cambridge University Press
€15.49
Available for download
Content
1. Introduction; 2. Getting Started - Data and Phylogeny; 3. Phylogenetic Non-independence; 4. Tempo and Mode - Brownian Motion and More; 5. Incorporating Estimates of Error; 6. Variation Across Trees; 7. Model Fit and Model Adequacy; 8. Post-hoc Modelling of Discrete Characters; 9. Modelling Heterogeneous Trait Evolution; 10. Conclusions; References.