Coding behavioural data for cladistic analysis: using dynamic homology without parsimony

Autor(es)

Japyassu, Hilton F. ^{[1, 2]} ; Machado, Fabio de A. ^{[3, 4]}

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Fed Bahia, Inst Biol, BR-40170115 Salvador, BA - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, NeC, Inst Psicol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Museu Zool, BR-04263000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Programa Posgrad Zool, BR-04263000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: CLADISTICS; v. 26, n. 6, p. 625-642, DEC 2010.
• Citações Web of Science: 8

Resumo

Many of the controversies around the concept of homology rest on the subjectivity inherent to primary homology propositions. Dynamic homology partially solves this problem, but there has been up to now scant application of it outside of the molecular domain. This is probably because morphological and behavioural characters are rich in properties, connections and qualities, so that there is less space for conflicting character delimitations. Here we present a new method for the direct optimization of behavioural data, a method that relies on the richness of this database to delimit the characters, and on dynamic procedures to establish character state identity. We use between-species congruence in the data matrix and topological stability to choose the best cladogram. We test the methodology using sequences of predatory behaviour in a group of spiders that evolved the highly modified predatory technique of spitting glue onto prey. The cladogram recovered is fully compatible with previous analyses in the literature, and thus the method seems consistent. Besides the advantage of enhanced objectivity in character proposition, the new procedure allows the use of complex, context-dependent behavioural characters in an evolutionary framework, an important step towards the practical integration of the evolutionary and ecological perspectives on diversity. (C) The Willi Hennig Society 2010. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 04/00296-8 - Evolução do comportamento na aranha cuspideira (Scytodes spp., Araneae, Scytodidae)
• Beneficiário: Fábio de Andrade Machado
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Iniciação Científica