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Does horizontal transmission invalidate cultural phylogenies?
Simon J Greenhill1, Thomas E Currie, Russell D Gray
1Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. s.greenhill@auckland.ac.nz
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|March 28, 2009
Summary
Phylogenetic methods can analyze cultural evolution, even with language borrowing. Our study shows tree structures are robust, proving phylogenetic approaches are valid for cultural and linguistic evolution research.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary studies
- Computational biology
- Anthropology
Background:
- Phylogenetic methods are increasingly used for cultural evolution.
- Concerns exist that horizontal transmission invalidates these methods.
- Linguistic evolution offers a model for studying cultural transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the robustness of phylogenetic methods against horizontal transmission in cultural evolution.
- To evaluate the impact of inter-group borrowing on phylogenetic analyses.
- To determine if phylogenetic approaches remain valid despite reticulation.
Main Methods:
- Simulated linguistic evolution incorporating inter-language borrowing.
- Applied Bayesian phylogenetic methods to analyze simulated data.
- Assessed the impact of borrowing on tree topology and divergence date inference.
Main Results:
- Phylogenetic tree topologies showed robustness to realistic levels of borrowing.
- Inferences of divergence dates were slightly less robust, with a tendency towards underestimation.
- The study confirmed that reticulation does not invalidate phylogenetic analysis.
Conclusions:
- Phylogenetic methods are reliable for studying cultural and linguistic evolution, even with borrowing.
- While divergence date estimates may be affected, tree structure remains largely intact.
- The findings support the continued application of phylogenetic approaches in the humanities.
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