Data Set Citation:
When using this data, please cite the data package:
NCEAS 2150: Gittleman: Problems in the quanitification of biodiversity , National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis , and Crandall K.
Evolutionary Significant Units (ESU) Table
bowdish.279.1 (http://knb.ecoinformatics.org/knb/metacat/bowdish.279.1/nceas)
General Information:
Title:Evolutionary Significant Units (ESU) Table
Identifier:bowdish.279
Abstract:
This table was shared in conjunction with a working group project to assess the usefulness of algorithms and quantitative approaches to measuring biodiversity in terms of 'taxonomic distinctiveness' or 'independent evolutionary units'. The group evaluated whether and how phylogenetic information can be used to measure species value. Specifically, they analyzied the effects of sample size, topology, branch lengths and model of evolutionary change on various quantitative measures of phylogenetic diversity. The ESU crosshair classification used in this table is discussed in this publication: Crandall, K.A., Bininda-Emonds, O.R.P., Mace, G.M. and Wayne, R.K., Considering evolutionary processes in conservation biology: returning to the original meaning of "evolutionarily significant units". Trends in Ecology and Evolution 15(7):290-295 has more informaiton on this subject.
Keywords:
  • Evolution
  • Endangered Species
  • Phylogenetics
  • Population genetics
  • Biodiversity
Data Table, Image, and Other Data Details:
Metadata download: Ecological Metadata Language (EML) File
Data Table:ESUStudyTable.xls ( View Metadata | Download File download)

Involved Parties

Data Set Creators:
Organization:NCEAS 2150: Gittleman: Problems in the quanitification of biodiversity
Organization:National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis
Individual: Keith A. Crandall
Email Address:
Keith_Crandall@byu.edu
Data Set Contacts:
Individual: Keith A. Crandall
Email Address:
Keith_Crandall@byu.edu

Data Set Characteristics

Sampling, Processing and Quality Control Methods

Step by Step Procedures
Step 1:  
Description:

Crosshair Classification

Crosshair classification tests the null hypothesis that populations are "exchangeable", in each of four ways: recent genetic, recent ecological, historical genetic, historical ecological. In the data table, the R stands for "rejected" (i.e. null hypothesis rejected, suggesting that the populations are distinct) and NR stands for "not rejected" (populations are not distinct).

Data Set Usage Rights

Access Control:
Auth System:knb
Order:denyFirst
Metadata download: Ecological Metadata Language (EML) File