PHYLOGENETIC APPROACHES IN ECOLOGY

Case studies from 7 research topics in ecology are reviewed in which historical explanations have played a central role, and mostly, cladograms have been used. Connections to statistical methods for estimating quantitative variation among taxa are discussed. A phylogenetic base would greatly strengthen both problem formulation and analysis. This is true for population studies as well as for all areas where adaptational explanations are invoked, single species studies as well as comparative studies or coevolution studies. -from Authors