Morphological variability or inter‐observer bias? A methodological toolkit to improve data quality of multi‐researcher datasets for the analysis of morphological variation

Author:

Schüßler Dominik1ORCID,Blanco Marina B.2,Guthrie Nicola K.3,Sgarlata Gabriele M.4,Dammhahn Melanie5,Ernest Refaly6,Evasoa Mamy Rina7,Hasiniaina Alida78,Hending Daniel9,Jan Fabien4,le Pors Barbara4,Miller Alex10,Olivieri Gillian7,Rakotonanahary Ando N.11,Rakotondranary Solofomalala Jacques12,Rakotondravony Romule13,Ralantoharijaona Tantely13,Ramananjato Veronarindra1415,Randrianambinina Blanchard13,Raoelinjanakolona Nancia N.15,Rasoazanabary Emilienne16,Rasoloarison Rodin M.17,Rasolofoson David W.18,Rasoloharijaona Solofonirina13,Rasolondraibe Emmanuel13,Roberts Sam Hyde19,Teixeira Helena720,van Elst Tobias7,Johnson Steig E.3,Ganzhorn Jörg U.21,Chikhi Lounès422,Kappeler Peter M.1723ORCID,Louis Edward E.11,Salmona Jordi22,Radespiel Ute7ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Institute of Biology and Chemistry, University of Hildesheim Hildesheim Germany

2. Duke Lemur Center Durham North Carolina USA

3. Department of Anthropology and Archaeology University of Calgary Calgary Alberta Canada

4. Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência Oeiras Portugal

5. Behavioural Biology University of Münster Münster Germany

6. QIT Madagascar Minerals Fort‐Dauphin Madagascar

7. Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Hannover Germany

8. School for International Training Antananarivo Madagascar

9. Department of Biology University of Oxford Oxford UK

10. Perth Zoo South Perth Western Australia Australia

11. Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership (MBP) Antananarivo Madagascar

12. Mention Anthropobiologie et Développement Durable, Faculté des Sciences Université d'Antananarivo Antananarivo Madagascar

13. Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l'Environnement, Ecole Doctorale Ecosystèmes Naturels Université de Mahajanga Mahajanga Madagascar

14. Department of Integrative Biology University of California Berkeley Berkeley California USA

15. Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animale, Faculté des Sciences Université d'Antananarivo Antananarivo Madagascar

16. Department of Anthropology University of Massachusetts Amherst Massachusetts USA

17. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit, German Primate Center Leibniz Institute for Primate Research Göttingen Germany

18. Groupe d'Etude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar (GERP) Antananarivo Madagascar

19. Duke University Durham North Carolina USA

20. UMR ENTROPIE, Université de La Réunion La Réunion France

21. Animal Ecology and Conservation University of Hamburg Hamburg Germany

22. Laboratoire Évolution et Diversité Biologique UMR5174, IRD, CNRS, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier Toulouse France

23. Department of Anthropology/Sociobiology University of Göttingen Göttingen Germany

Abstract

AbstractObjectivesThe investigation of morphological variation in animals is widely used in taxonomy, ecology, and evolution. Using large datasets for meta‐analyses has dramatically increased, raising concerns about dataset compatibilities and biases introduced by contributions of multiple researchers.Materials and MethodsWe compiled morphological data on 13 variables for 3073 individual mouse lemurs (Cheirogaleidae, Microcebus spp.) from 25 taxa and 153 different sampling locations, measured by 48 different researchers. We introduced and applied a filtering pipeline and quantified improvements in data quality (Shapiro‐Francia statistic, skewness, and excess kurtosis). The filtered dataset was then used to test for genus‐wide sexual size dimorphism and the applicability of Rensch's, Allen's, and Bergmann's rules.ResultsOur pipeline reduced inter‐observer bias (i.e., increased normality of data distributions). Inter‐observer reliability of measurements was notably variable, highlighting the need to reduce data collection biases. Although subtle, we found a consistent pattern of sexual size dimorphism across Microcebus, with females being the larger (but not heavier) sex. Sexual size dimorphism was isometric, providing no support for Rensch's rule. Variations in tail length but not in ear size were consistent with the predictions of Allen's rule. Body mass and length followed a pattern contrary to predictions of Bergmann's rule.DiscussionWe highlighted the usefulness of large multi‐researcher datasets for testing ecological hypotheses after correcting for inter‐observer biases. Using genus‐wide tests, we outlined generalizable patterns of morphological variability across all mouse lemurs. This new methodological toolkit aims to facilitate future large‐scale morphological comparisons for a wide range of taxa and applications.

Publisher

Wiley

Subject

Paleontology,Archeology,Genetics,Anthropology,Anatomy,Epidemiology

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