Biosciences Seminar Speaker 26 April 2016

Biosciences Seminar Series - Spring 2016
26 April 2016 - 1pm - Zoology Museum

Measuring the rate and nature of evolution 

using comparative methods

Prof Robert Freckleton

(University of Sheffield, UK)

Abstract

The comparative method is one of the most important methods for studying evolution and adaptation with applications in ecology, behaviour and conservation. Modern comparative approaches recognize that phylogenetic relationships create structure in data that can be used to improve statistical inference as well as uncover the signal of different evolutionary processes. 

In this talk I present recent work on applying comparative methods to problems in the analysis of data and modelling evolution. In the first part of the talk I discuss problems with heterogeneous data quality and the analysis of experimental data on multiple species. In the second part of the talk I look at non-Brownian evolution resulting from interactions between species during their evolution. 

I highlight the use of new statistical methods that can  be used to model complex evolution of traits in adaptive radiations and present examples of where these have been applied.

Hope to see many of you - everyone most welcome to attend!