Geometric morphometry in phytolith analysis: classification of grasses as an example

0521125 - ARÚ 2020 ES eng A - Abstract
Hošková, K. - Neustupa, J. - Pokorná, Adéla - Pokorný, P.
Geometric morphometry in phytolith analysis: classification of grasses as an example.
International workshop on phytoliths and non-pollen palynomorphs. Barcelona, July 15th-19th, 2019. Abstract booklet. Barcelona: ICTJA-CSIC, 2019. s. 24. ISBN N.
[International workshop on phytoliths and non-pollen palynomorphs. 15.07.2019-19.07.2019, Barcelona]
Institutional support: RVO:67985912
Keywords : phytolith * geometric morphometric * classification of fossil grasses
OECD category: Plant sciences, botany

Phytoliths are precipitated in plant tissues when monosilicic acid (H4SiO4) from soil water is taken up by roots. After being released from decaying plant material, phytoliths persist in broad spectrum of sedimentary environments and due to their taxonomic linkages represent valuable tool in paleoecology and archeology. Here we demonstrate landmark-based geometric morphometry, tool with diverse applications in biology, as eligible approach for phytolith analysis. Our results show that landmark-based geometric morphometry proves to be suitable approach for evaluation of sources of phytolith shape variation, grass taxonomic classification (sometimes even down to species level) and also for visualization of phytolith shape variations. Compared to traditional morphometry, meaningful shape variables are identified by the analysis itself and do not need to be chosen in advance. This diminishes the risk of valuable shape information oversight. Thus, we envision that geometric morphometry could play substantial role in identification of objects of interest in future paleoecological research.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0306169