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ARS Home » Plains Area » Sidney, Montana » Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory » Pest Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #277073
Title: Bootstrap estimation and comparison of an index of phylogenetic correlation

Author
item PRICE, WILLIAM - University Of Idaho
item SHAFII, BAHMAN - University Of Idaho
item RAPO, CAROLE - University Of Idaho
item EIGENBRODE, SANFORD - University Of Idaho
item Gaskin, John

Submitted to: Applied Statistics In Agriculture Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/4/2012
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: In this paper we the use of bootstrapping (re-sampling data randomly) in two methods that determine evolutionary relationships. We use the method on both phylogenetic (DNA evolutionary history) and metabolomics (plant chemical defense evolution) data related to the interaction of an insect that we want to use to control an invasive weed in the mustard family. Our ultimate goal is to find out why the insect attacks a non-target species. This information will help lower risk of biological control of weeds.

Technical Abstract: A common objective of bioinformatic analyses is to assess the similarity of species, given a biological trait or characteristic. Phylogenetic correlation is one means to achieve this objective. Such measures provide a means to evaluate evolutionary models and history as well as having potential application to ecological relationships including host preference selection. Typically, these measurements are based on the deviation of an observed phylogeny from a Brownian evolutionary model. Statistical inference for this difference is assessed through likelihood ratio tests. These tests, in turn, rely on the assumption of a Normal likelihood within the phylogenetic trait. In addition, statistical comparison of estimated phylogenetic correlations between competing phylogenies or traits has not been addressed. In this paper, a bootstrap re-sampling methodology is proposed for two common phylogenetic correlation metrics, Pagel’s lambda and Blomberg’s K. The underlying bootstrap distribution of the estimates will be utilized as a means of computing confidence limits as well as carrying out hypothesis testing. The method will be demonstrated using phylogenetic and metabolomic data related to the host specificity of an insect, Ceutorhynchus cardariae Korotyaev, on a wide range of Brassicaceae species.