Spatial phylogenetics

The metric called phylogenetic diversity (PD) has been employed over the last 30 years to add an evolutionary dimension exploration of biodiversity. However, application PD was until recently limited by both technology and methodology. Newly available distributional data from global museum databasing efforts, rapidly increasing coverage DNA sequence improvements computer hardware software have enabled a new ‘big data’ approach PD-based metrics randomization-based hypothesis tests ‘spatial phylogenetics’. It can be defined most simply as turning phylogeny into GIS layer, which then used with other layers understand drivers phylodiversity patterns for conservation prioritization. Alpha beta measured using different ways representing branch lengths on given topology (called ‘facets’), each yielding different, interesting perspective that are best viewed in combination. Challenges posed need addressed through careful cleaning gathering further targeted manner. Spatial phylogenetics is only its infancy, showing much promise but many elements awaiting expansion address questions.