Phylogenetic signal in tooth wear dietary niche proxies: What it means for those in the field

Abstract

In response to DeSantis et al., we describe that the presence of phylogenetic signal in tooth wear dietary niche proxies is likely a result of the evolutionary process. We also address their concerns regarding enforcement of the use of phylogenetic comparative methods by editors of ecology and evolution journals.

Keywords: mesowear; microwear; phylogenetic signal; tooth wear.

Figure 1

Hypsodonty shows phylogenetic patterning among hoofed mammals. Phylogenetic trait map of hypsodonty index. Blue indicates the highest hypsodonty indices while red indicates the lowest. λ = 0.97 as estimated using the fitContinuous function in the geiger R package (Harmon et al., 2008). Data are derived from Mendoza et al. (2002)

Figure 2

Phylogenetic signal in residuals from ordinary least squares regression is consistent high when phylogenetic signal in x and y is also high. Data were simulated using the fastBM function and tests of phylogenetic signal were performed using the phylosig function in the R package phytools (Revell, 2011)