What This Document Is
This is a lab manual section focused on biogeographic reconstruction using phylogenetic methods. It explores techniques for comparing evolutionary trees of different associated groups – such as hosts and parasites, or organisms and their geographic distributions – to understand their shared evolutionary history. The material delves into the theoretical underpinnings of these comparisons and introduces software tools used to perform these analyses. It’s part of an upper-division course in Ecology and Evolution at the University of California, Berkeley.
Why This Document Matters
This resource is ideal for students studying phylogenetics, biogeography, evolutionary biology, or ecology. It’s particularly helpful for those undertaking research projects involving co-evolution, host-parasite interactions, or the historical distribution of species. This material will be most valuable when you are learning to apply computational methods to test hypotheses about the origins and diversification of life, and how historical events have shaped current biodiversity patterns.
Topics Covered
* Comparative phylogenetic methods
* Reconciling phylogenetic trees of associated taxa
* Concepts of cospeciation, vicariance, and host switching
* Biogeographic reconstruction techniques
* Interpretation of phylogenetic relationships in a spatial context
* Using software for phylogenetic analysis
What This Document Provides
* An overview of different approaches to comparing phylogenetic trees.
* A discussion of the assumptions underlying tree reconciliation methods.
* An introduction to specific software packages used in biogeographic analysis.
* A framework for interpreting the results of phylogenetic comparisons.
* Conceptual analogies to understand relationships between different types of evolutionary events.
