INTRODUCTION TO MACROEVOLUTIONARY ANALYSES USING PHYLOGENIES

Phylogenetic trees have changed the way we study and understand life on Earth. Taking phylogenetic information into account in our analyses is critical to account for the non-independence of biological data. Also, phylogenies allow us to get a deep-time perspective of the processes that have shaped the evolutionary history of groups, including diversification and trait evolution.

This course will introduce participants to phylogenetic trees' use, modification and representation. Also, we will focus on the use of phylogenetic information to reconstruct ancestral characters and biogeographic histories, using different phylogenetic comparative methods.

This course will also tackle trait evolution modelling and the assessment of phylogenetic signals. Finally, we will learn about the shape of phylogenetic trees and their evolutionary causes, and how to estimate the diversification rates throughout the history of groups. Participants are encouraged to bring their data sets to use in the practical classes.

The course includes an optional first introductory day to essential R.

Important note: Please bear in mind that this course is not about reconstructing (building) phylogenetic trees.

Software: Mesquite, FigTree, R (ape, TreeSim, TreePar, Geiger, OUwie, BioGeoBEARS).