Graphs and generalized tracks: quantifying Croizat's panbiogeography

Page, R. D. M. (1987) Graphs and generalized tracks: quantifying Croizat's panbiogeography. Systematic Biology, 36(1), pp. 1-17. (doi: 10.2307/2413304)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

A quantitative approach to Croizat's panbiogeography is developed using graph theory. Croizat's main analytical tool, the “track” (a line on a map representing the distribution of one or more taxa), is equated with the graph-theoretic concept of the minimal-spanning tree. Tracks can be represented by two different matrices that enable incongruent tracks to be detected and shared elements (biogeographic homologies) to be identified. Tracks can be orientated using both phylogenetic and biogeographic criteria. “Nodes,” which are regions where there are large numbers of tracks, are related to the concept of the connectivity of a point. The statistical significance of track concordance can be evaluated using permutation tests of association between matrices. Previous discussions of panbiogeography have often considered panbiogeography to be a phenetic technique similar to cluster analysis using matrices of biotic similarity, or a crude precursor of vicariance biogeography. This is rejected, and the relationship between vicariance biogeography and panbiogeography is discussed. Vicariance biogeography is shown to be a clique method based on the less amenable concept of the minimal Steiner tree.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Page, Professor Roderic
Authors: Page, R. D. M.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Systematic Biology
Publisher:Oxford University Press
ISSN:1063-5157
ISSN (Online):1076-836X

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record