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Elsevier

Geometric Morphometrics for Biologists

A Primer

  • 1st Edition - July 1, 2004
  • Newer edition is available
  • Authors: Miriam Zelditch, Donald Swiderski, H. David Sheets, William L. Fink
  • Language: English

Geometric Morphometrics for Biologists is an introductory textbook for a course on geometric morphometrics, written for graduate students and upper division undergraduates, coveri… Read more

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Description

Geometric Morphometrics for Biologists is an introductory textbook for a course on geometric morphometrics, written for graduate students and upper division undergraduates, covering both theory of shape analysis and methods of multivariate analysis. It is designed for students with minimal math background; taking them from the process of data collection through basic and more advanced statistical analyses. Many examples are given, beginning with simple although realistic case-studies, through examples of complex analyses requiring several different kinds of methods. The book also includes URL’s for free software and step-by-step instructions for using the software.

Key features

* Accessible, student-tested introduction to sophisticated methods of biological shape analysis* Detailed instructions for conducting analyses with freely available, easy to use software* Numerous illustrations; including graphical presentations of important theoretical concepts and demonstrations of alternative approaches to presenting results* Many realistic examples, both simple and complex, from on-going research* Comprehensive glossary of technical terms

Readership

Advanced undergraduates, and graduates/research workers in taxonomy, ecology, evolution, comparative zoology and botany from the cellular to the whole organism levels. Any branch of biology where the analysis and comparison of shape and form is important.

Table of contents

LandmarksSimple Size and Shape Variables: Bookstein Shape CoordinatesTheory of ShapeSuperimposition MethodsThe Thin Plate Spline: Visualizing Shape Change as a DeformationOrdination MethodsComputer-Based Statistical MethodsMultivariate Analysis of VarianceRegressionPartial Least Squares AnalysisDisparity and VariationThe Relationship between Ontogeny and PhylogenyMorphometrics and SystematicsLast Things: Beyond Two-Dimensional Configurations of Landmarks

Product details

About the authors

MZ

Miriam Zelditch

Dr. Miriam Zelditch is Associate Research Scientist at the University of Michigan’s Museum of Paleontology. She obtained her PhD in Zoology from Michigan State University and conducted her NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Michigan. Her research interests broadly include zoology, paleobiology, evolutionary biology, comparative biology, and morphology. She has co-edited both prior editions of Geometric Morphometrics for Biologists.

Affiliations and expertise
Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan, USA

DS

Donald Swiderski

Dr. Donald Swiderski is Adjunct Assistant Research Scientist at the University of Michigan’s Museum of Zoology. He obtained his MSc in Paleontology and his PhD in Zoology from Michigan State University. His research interests broadly include zoology, paleontology, comparative vertebrate anatomy, mammalogy, and morphology. He has co-edited both prior editions of Geometric Morphometrics for Biologists.

Affiliations and expertise
Museum of Zoology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, USA

HS

H. David Sheets

Affiliations and expertise
Department of Physics, Canisius College, Buffalo, NY, USA

WF

William L. Fink

Affiliations and expertise
Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, U.S.A.

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