Quoting morphmet <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > 1. Would using geometric morphometrics be considered overkill (by those > who know enough about it) for this type of problem? In my readings it > seems (Elliptic?) Fourier analysis could be used in this case.
Geo morphometrics would definitely not be overkill in your situation. On the contrary, it seems like the only appropriate way to go and it is not difficult in any way. In your case, I suggest that elliptic fourier analyses would be the way to go - it's powerful and straightforward. > 2. Is there any way of converting this information into a meaningful > biological variable? Can the numbers you get from whatever analysis you > do be used in a biological sense, or are they only meaningful when > describing the shape mathematically? (sorry if I haven't explained this > well). Ultimately, I'm wanting to do genetic analyses on a sample of > people and want to be able to make associations with shape. Yes, you attain shape variables that will differ depending on how you do your EFA, but they are all meaningful biological variables that can be visualized and understood in a biological/morphological sense. This would include e.g. calculating heritabilities for particular aspects of shape. Best regards, /Göran ******************************************************************** Prof. Göran Arnqvist Animal Ecology Department of Ecology and Evolution Evolutionary Biology Centre University of Uppsala Norbyvägen 18d SE - 752 36 Uppsala Sweden Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: +46-(0)18-471 2645 Cell phone: +46-(0)70-2935032 Fax: +46-(0)18-471 6484 Homepage with PDF downloads and more at: http://www.ebc.uu.se/zooeko/GoranA/GA.html ******************************************************************** -- Replies will be sent to the list. For more information visit http://www.morphometrics.org
