Comparison of merged and non-merged similarity clustering analysis methods

Xintao, 刘新涛 Liu; Xiaoguang, 刘晓光 Liu; Qi, 申琪 Shen; Shujie, 张书杰 Zhang; Dangwei, 杨党伟 Yang; Yingdang, 任应党 Ren

doi:10.5846/stxb201203090319

Acta Eco Sin

2013

DOI: 10.5846/stxb201203090319

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Comparison of merged and non-merged similarity clustering analysis methods

刘新涛 Liu Xintao¹,

刘晓光 Liu Xiaoguang²,

申琪 Shen Qi³

et al.

Abstract: Distribution data of 4638 species in seven geographic regions of Shanxi Province were examined as a small sample, of 7766 species in 14 geographic regions of Inner Mongolia as a medium sample, and of 16804 genera in 67 ecological regions of China as a large sample. Statistical analyses of the three data groups were conducted separately, using a traditional merged method ( similarity clustering analysis, SCA) and a new non鄄merged method ( multivariate similarity clustering analysis ( MSCA) ) . A critical compar… Show more

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Cited by 6 publications

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Amphibian and reptilian distribution patterns in the transitional zone between the Euro-Siberian and Central Asia Subrealms

Shi

2015

J. Arid Land

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There exist some controversies over the larger zoogeographic divisions of the arid areas of Central Asia, whose characteristics include complex ecological environments, complex fauna origins and unique patterns of animal distribution. The aim of this study was to determine, using quantitative analysis, the distribution patterns of amphibians and reptiles in the arid areas of Central Asia, whose various physiographical regions were divided into 17 Operative Geographical Units (OGUs). Based on the presence or absence of 52 amphibian and reptile genera in the 17 OGUs, and by making use of the Czekanowski Similarity Index, the Baroni-Urbani and Buser's Similarity Index, and the strong and weak boundary test, we studied the biotic boundaries within these contested regions. In accordance with our results, the classification dendrogram was divided into two main branches. One branch is composed of the northern OGUs of the Altai Mountains which are a part of the Euro-Siberian Subrealm. The other branch includes all of the OGUs south of the Altai Mountains, which belong to the Central Asia Subrealm. There is a significantly weak biotic boundary (DW>0, GW>GS, P<0.01) between the Euro-Siberian Subrealm and the Central Asia Subrealm that corresponded to the transitional zones. The boundary between the two subrealms runs along the Altai Mountains, the Sayan Mountains, the Hangai Mountains and the Mongolian Dagurr Mountains. The boundaries between the main branches in the Central Asia Subrealm are weak, reflecting the widespread existence of transitional zones in the arid areas of Central Asia. The Tianshan Mountains should be elevated to form its own separate region, "the Middle Asian Mountain Region", which, due to its special fauna and environment, would be classified at the same level as the Mongolia-Xinjiang Region. With the approach of creating a cluster analysis dendogram based upon the genera of amphibians and reptiles, the relationship of these higher level zoogeographical divisions was successfully resolved and the error of long-branch attraction was also avoided. With our clustering dendrogram as the foundation, the independence test was applied to strong and weak boundaries, and this resolved the problem of where to attribute the transition areas and revealed as well the barrier effect that physical, geographic boundaries have upon amphibians and reptiles. The approach of combining genera clustering analysis with a statistical boundary test should be applicable not only to the distribution patterns of other animal groups, but also to delineating large-scale zoogeographical divisions.

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Amphibian and reptilian distribution patterns in the transitional zone between the Euro-Siberian and Central Asia Subrealms

Shi

2015

J. Arid Land

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Multivariate similarity clustering analysis: a new method regarding biogeography and its application in global insects

XiaoCheng

Zhang

et al. 2020

Integr. Zool.

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A new method, multivariate similarity clustering analysis (MSCA) method, was established for biogeographical distribution analyzing. General similarity formula (GSF), the core of MSCA method, can be used to calculate the similarity coefficients between 2 and among any ≥ 3 geographical units. Taking the global insects as example, we introduced the steps to use of GSF and consequent clustering processes of this method in details. Firstly, geographical distributions of certain taxa (e.g. Insecta) were categorized into basic geographical units (BGUs); Secondly, similarity coefficients between 2 and among n BGUs were calculated using GSF. Thirdly, hierarchical clustering was conducted according to values of similarity coefficients (from high to low); then a clustering diagram was generated. Finally, a framework of biogeographical division map was established for the target taxa (e.g. Insecta). We concluded that the MSCA method was efficiently applied in analyzing the biogeographical distribution of given biological taxa; the geographical regions regarding global insects were categorized into 7 Realms with 20 sub-Realms based on the results of MSCA method.

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The Macroscopic Characteristics of Distribution of Global Terrestrial Biota—Biogeographical Regionalization Research III

申¹

2018

IJE

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In order to analyze the distributional law of terrestrial organisms, we analyzed the global distribution pattern of animals, plants and microorganisms using multivariate similarity clustering analysis method, and gradually clarified and confirmed several macroscopic features of the biota distribution. The distribution of biological species is likely to be disconnected, but the change of the floristic or faunal composition between regions is continuous; the farther the distance, the greater the difference. The similarity of a geographical area is only highest with adjacent areas, and its clustering object can only be adjacent areas. This restrictive condition brings convenience for geographic regionalization; biological distribution is not balanced. The richer biodiversity areas can play a key role in the clustering analysis. Their cohesion and independence are the inner motive power of biological regional formation. Although a geographic area's species diversity increases with the deepening of the research, its floristic or faunal composition is relatively stable, to ensure the stability of distributional pattern and measurability of biogeographical regionalization. Though different evolution periods between animals, plants and fungus, life form and manner of metabolism were different, their global distribution patterns were the same. This homogeneity will promote the reveal of biological distributional law and the development of biological geography.

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Comparison of merged and non-merged similarity clustering analysis methods

Cited by 6 publications

References 0 publications

Amphibian and reptilian distribution patterns in the transitional zone between the Euro-Siberian and Central Asia Subrealms

Amphibian and reptilian distribution patterns in the transitional zone between the Euro-Siberian and Central Asia Subrealms

Multivariate similarity clustering analysis: a new method regarding biogeography and its application in global insects

The Macroscopic Characteristics of Distribution of Global Terrestrial Biota—Biogeographical Regionalization Research III

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