Multivariate Aspects of Phylogenetic Comparative Methods
Licentiatavhandling, 2011

his thesis concerns multivariate phylogenetic comparative methods. We investigate two aspects of them. The first is the bias caused by measurement error in regression studies of comparative data. We calculate the formula for the bias and show how to correct for it. We also study whether it is always advantageous to correct for the bias as correction can increase the mean square error of the estimate. We propose a criterion, which depends on the observed data, that indicates whether it is beneficial to correct or not. Accompanying the results is an R program that offers the bias correction tool. The second topic is a multivariate model for trait evolution which is based on an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck type stochastic process, often used for studying trait adaptation, co--evolution, allometry or trade--offs. Alongside the description of the model and presentation of its most important features we present an R program estimating the model's parameters. To the best of our knowledge our program is the first program that allows for nearly all combinations of key model parameters providing the biologist with a flexible tool for studying multiple interacting traits in the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck framework. There are numerous packages available that include the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process but their multivariate capabilities seem limited.

Allometry

Measurement error

Structural equation

Multivariate phylogenetic comparative method

Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process

Regression

General Linear Model

Optimality

Adaptation

Evolutionary model

Phylogenetic inertia

Adaptation

Reduced major-axis regression

Major-axis regression

Pascal Matematiska Vetenskaper
Opponent: Rob Freckleton

Författare

Krzysztof Bartoszek

Chalmers, Matematiska vetenskaper

Göteborgs universitet

Ämneskategorier

Sannolikhetsteori och statistik

Preprint / Department of Mathematical Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology and Göteborg University: 2011:21

Pascal Matematiska Vetenskaper

Opponent: Rob Freckleton

Mer information

Skapat

2017-10-07