Tracy Anne Heath
- Associate Professor
- Ecology, Evolution & Organismal Biology
BIOL 4650
Course
BIOL 4650/EEOB 5650: Macroevolution
Resources
Public course webpage: EEOB Macroevolution
Tutorials for each Module:
- An Introduction to Phylogenetics in R
- Phylogenetic Association of Discrete Characters
- Phylogenetic Regression
- Ancestral State Estimation
- State Dependent Diversification
- Fitting Evolutionary Models
- Multivariate Phylogenetic Comparative Methods
More learning materials for each Module can be found in the Practicals folder in Github
Case Study
The field of Macroevolution seeks to understand the evolutionary processes responsible for generating patterns of biodiversity observed in nature. Research in this area involves numerous data sources, techniques, and software tools that are daunting, even for specialists. Because macroevolutionary methods apply complex statistical methods, available approaches often require researchers to have experience in statistical theory and computer programming, in addition to evolutionary biology.
Dr. Heath worked with Josh Justison to develop open and online materials to facilitate student learning and engagement as they learn and apply macroevolutionary methods in a hands-on workshop environment. Here we provide guided tutorials on various statistical methods in macroevolution. These resources are freely available, both so students can engage with material at their own pace and so instructors at other institutions may adapt each topic to their own teaching.