Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biological Informatics for FY 2000

Nunn, Charles L, Durham NC

Investigators

Abstract

This action funds an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biological Informatics for 2000. The research and training plan is in the area of Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology and is Phylogenetic Comparative Methods to Analyze Host-Parasite Trait Evolution". The aim of this proposal is to develop comparative methods to test for correlated evolution. Previous investigations of host-parasite evolution have provided analyses of the congruence of the phylogenetic trees of hosts and parasites, yet have failed to characterize and describe correlative/causal effects on trait evolution. The aims of this research are 1. To use simulation techniques to identify the statistical consequences of different levels of host-parasite tree congruence on comparative studies of trait evolution, via computer simulation 2. Develop a system that minimizes statistical bias and inconsistency when host-parasite trees are not fully congruent, and 3. Apply these methods to real-world datasets to test hypotheses for host-parasite trait evolution in primates and carnivores. This research will contribute greatly to knowledge of evolution.