Abstract

Odonatopera exhibit a wide diversity of morphologies for an ancient group of winged insects. A morphological matrix of 463 characters is compiled for 347 extant and fossil representatives used in parsimony analyses, implemented in TNT, to document arrangements of taxonomic groups above the family level. Missing data and other challenges approaches implemented and interpretation of the results. We employ a novel approach to testing monophyly relative to quantities of missing data for each taxon. Phylogenetic reconstructions recover patterns of monophyly and trends based on missing data. We discuss the implications of our findings on missing data as well as limitations to systematics in general for Odonatoptera.

Degree

MS

College and Department

Life Sciences; Biology

Rights

https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

2020-12-09

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd11954

Keywords

dragonfly, fossil, homoplasy, morphology, Odonata

Language

english

Included in

Life Sciences Commons

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