Geometric morphometrics: using patterns of shape variation to understand processes in evolution and development

The Biodiversity and Biocomplexity (Economo) Unit would like to invite you to a seminar by Prof. Chris Klingenberg from the University of Manchester, UK.

Date: Wednesday, Jun 28th, 2017

Time: 14:30 - 15:30

Venue: Classroom B700, Lab3

Speaker: Prof. Chris Klingenberg, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, U.K.

Title: Geometric morphometrics: using patterns of shape variation to understand processes in evolution and development

Abstract:

Over the last three decades, geometric morphometrics has seen tremendous progress in terms of new techniques for analyzing shape variation. As a result, morphometric studies can use a broad range of sophisticated tools for characterizing shapes, and therefore it is useful to concentrate now on ways to extract all the biological information present in the data and to combine morphometric approaches with the established protocols of various biological disciplines. Biological datasets usually have an inherent structure that can potentially reveal important insights about the processes and mechanisms responsible for the observed variation. For instance, many studies use samples of specimens from multiple taxa, and considering both the variation within taxa and the evolved differences among taxa permits to make inferences about evolutionary mechanisms. Similarly, analyses of fluctuating asymmetry can provide information on the developmental basis of integration among traits. For investigating the genetic basis of shape variation, the study designs of quantitative genetics can be combined with collecting landmark data, and for interspecific studies of evolution, a range of phylogenetic comparative methods are available. My lecture will illustrate this combined approach with examples from animals and plants.

We hope to see many of you at the seminar.

Sincerely,

Chisa Oshiro

Biodiversity and Biocomplexity (Economo) Unit