A web based tool to merge geometric morphometric data from multiple characters

Ming Bai, Jing Li, Wencheng Wang, Rolf G. Beutel, Benjamin Wipfler, Wangang Liu, Sha Li, Mengna Zhang, Yuanyuan Lu, Xingke Yang

Zoological Systematics ›› 2017, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (1) : 34-45.

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Zoological Systematics ›› 2017, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (1) : 34-45. DOI: 10.11865/zs.201703

A web based tool to merge geometric morphometric data from multiple characters

  • Ming Bai1 *, Jing Li2, Wencheng Wang2, Rolf G. Beutel3, Benjamin Wipfler1, 3, Wangang Liu1, 5, Sha Li1, 5, Mengna Zhang1, 5, Yuanyuan Lu1, 5, Xingke Yang1 *
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Abstract

Geometric morphometrics (GM) is an important method of shape analysis and increasingly used in a wide range of scientific disciplines. Presently, a single character comparison system of geometric morphometric data is used in almost all empirical studies, and this approach is sufficient for many scientific problems. However, the estimation of overall similarity among taxa or objects based on multiple characters is crucial in a variety of contexts (e.g. (semi-)automated identification, phenetic relationships, tracing of character evolution, phylogenetic reconstruction). Here we propose a new web-based tool for merging several geometric morphometrics data files from multiple characters into a single data file. Using this approach information from multiple characters can be compared in combination and an overall similarity estimate can be obtained in a convenient and geometrically rigorous manner. To illustrate our method, we provide an example analysis of 25 dung beetle species with seven Procrustes superimposed landmark data files representing the morphological variation of body features: the epipharynx, right mandible, pronotum, elytra, hindwing, and the metendosternite in dorsal and lateral view. All seven files were merged into a single one containing information on 649 landmark locations. The possible applications of such merged data files in different fields of science are discussed.

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Ming Bai, Jing Li, Wencheng Wang, Rolf G. Beutel, Benjamin Wipfler, Wangang Liu, Sha Li, Mengna Zhang, Yuanyuan Lu, Xingke Yang. A web based tool to merge geometric morphometric data from multiple characters[J]. Zoological Systematics. 2017, 42(1): 34-45 https://doi.org/10.11865/zs.201703

Funding

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31672345, 51305057, 61379087); the Research Equipment Development Project of Chinese Academy of Sciences (YZ201509); and by a Humboldt Fellowship (M.B.) from Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
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