Teaching plan for the course unit

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General information

 

Course unit name: Geometric Morphometry: Morphological Diversity Analysis

Course unit code: 574170

Academic year: 2021-2022

Coordinator: Nieves Martinez Abadias

Department: Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences

Credits: 2,5

Single program: S

 

 

Estimated learning time

Total number of hours 62.5

 

Face-to-face and/or online activities

20
 

-  Lecture

Face-to-face

  

7
 

-  IT-based class

Face-to-face

  

11
 

-  Seminar

Face-to-face

  

2

Supervised project

20

Independent learning

22.5

 

 

Learning objectives

 

Referring to knowledge

  • Identify the methods used to quantify and evaluate shape variation, including traditional morphometrics (distance and index) and geometric morphometrics (anatomical landmarks and networks).
  • Identify the databases used in comparisons of cranial morphology.
  • Interpret numerical data to explain the geographical distribution of the morphology and history of human populations.
  • Analyse applications of morphometrics in anthropology to understand shape variation in the history of human populations.

 

 

Teaching blocks

 

1. Shape variation in the study of human populations

*  Cranial shape variation as an indicator of the history and dynamics of human populations. Geographical distribution of cranial variation and correspondence with genetic indicators. Methods for quantifying shape variation: traditional morphometrics vs geometric morphometrics. Craniometric databases. Applications of geometric morphometrics in biological anthropology and archaeology.

2. Geometric morphometrics

*  Introduction to geometric morphometrics. Geometric morphometrics as a method for the quantitative analysis of two- and three-dimensional shapes. The robustness and precision of the method. The impact of the method on the field of morphometrics and applications in biology, archaeology and geology.

How is the biological shape recorded? Data collection: Discussion on the best use of landmarks and semilandmarks.

How is shape analysed and displayed? The Procrustes method for the optimal superimposition of landmarks.

How are morphogeometric analyses interpreted? Application of multivariate statistical techniques, including principal component analysis and canonical variate analysis. Critical reflection on the use of each method, depending on the study and the available sample.

Practical sessions. An examination of photographs to analyse two- and three-dimensional shapes. Calculating intra- and inter-observer error. Statistical analysis of human population databases.

3. Virtual morphometrics

*  Creating and visualising 3D models. Stereo photogrammetry, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.