In this course, the students will learn basic knowledge of morphometrics, understood as the qualitative analysis of biological shapes. Geometric morphometrics is an innovative approach to the qualitative and quantitative study of shape variability in biology. First, geometric morphometric methods were invented to analyse the human fossil record. Lately, it has replaced traditional morphometry, and today it is applied to a wide range of applications, such as in botany and zoology. The main aim of the course is to provide a solid knowledge of both traditional and geometric morphometrics. In laboratory activities, students will apply geometric morphometric methods to case studies of biological interest.
Syllabus: Introduction to morphometrics; why and how to measure and compare forms; acquisition of landmark data; size and shape; shape variations; missing data estimation and its application in paleoantropology; biological symmetry and asymmetry; modularity and integration; phylogenetic comparative methods.