An empirical assessment and illustration of some multivariate morphometric techniques

An artificial data set is used to illustrate the morphologic properties of some common multivariate techniques and consideration of three common situations. The first concerns a sample showing no obvious groupings. In this situation principal components (or coordinates) and factor analyses give a logical ordination of form variation; cluster analysis produces sizedominated groups. The second situation considers an homogeneous sample where size and shape have important implications. Principal components are tested for association with size and shape, both of which can be isolated if isometry exists; if allometry is present, isolation of shape is possible only by size elimination, e.g., conversion to ratios. The third situation examines a sample of unknown groupings in which shape variation is the only interest. Aside from ratios, two other methods which produce shape-dominant clusters are assessed. Some of the options available in cluster analysis are also examined.