Dear all,
registration is now open for our second edition of the course "Geometric
Morphometrics"!
Where: Berlin (Germany)
When: 18th-22nd March 2019
Instructor: Dr. Carmelo Fruciano (ENS, Paris (France)) http://bit.ly/2rxQVFC
Overview
Geometric morphometrics has become a standard in biological research because it
combines statistical rigour and ease of interpretation. Through geometric
morphometrics, biological form is quantified, analysed and the results are
expressed as easily interpretable and visually impactful shape changes. This
course covers the main common practices of modern geometric morphometrics,
including: acquiring data, analysing it, visualizing and interpreting the
results.
Format
The course will be delivered over five days and will comprise both lectures and
hands-on sessions. The lectures will cover both basic theoretical aspects and
their practical implementation in research practice and software. During the
hands-on sessions, the attendees will have the chance of both using example
datasets and applying the knowledge acquired to their own data. The course will
be focused mainly on 2D data and on easy-to-use software with graphical user
interface to maximize the ability to understand concepts and apply them.
However, some information on 3D data and on R implementations will be provided,
as appropriate.
Assumed Background
This course is aimed at beginners and intermediate users. In other words, it is
aimed at researchers who intend to use geometric morphometrics or who have
started performing geometric morphometric analyses but feel they need a more
structured background.
Requirements
Attendees should have a background in biology and a basic understanding of
statistical concepts.
Session content
Day1
Geometric morphometrics: overview and potential applications:
• Traditional and geometric morphometrics
•An overview of common analyses
•Examples of geometric morphometrics applied to biological problems
From biological objects to numerical representation:
• Overview of typical devices used to digitalise biological objects
•Landmarks, semilandmarks, outlines and surfaces - different types
of geometric morphometric data
•Most commonly used geometric morphometric software
•Data quality, most common pitfalls in study design and data
acquisition
Day 2
Generalized Procrustes analysis (GPA) – the core of most geometric
morphometrics:
Principal component analysis (PCA)
Comparing groups:
• Between-group PCA
• Canonical variate analysis (CVA)
• Tests of difference in means
Day 3
Co-variation between size and shape:
• Allometry, regression and general linear models
Co-variation between shapes:
• Partial least squares analysis (PLS)
• Modularity and integration
Day 4
Combining analyses in a basic workflow:
•Preliminary assessment of data quality
• Typical basic workflow
Expanding the basic workflow: variation in geographic space
Expanding the basic workflow: association between shape and environmental
variables
Day 5
Expanding the basic workflow: elements of phylogenetic comparative analyses
Review and open discussion
Presentation of attendees’ analyses on their own data
For more information about the course, please visit our website:
https://www.physalia-courses.org/courses-workshops/course22/
Here is the full list of our courses and Workshops:
https://www.physalia-courses.org/courses-workshops/
Best regards,
Physalia-course team
