Quantitative morphometric methods in diatom research

Abstract

Morphometric methods have been used in diatom research for decades. We present a review of
\nthe history of usage of morphometric methods of outline shape analysis, pattern recognition, and landmarkbased
\nanalysis. In addition, we present how morphometric methods are important in diatom taxonomy
\nand classifi cation and what connections exist between morphometric methods and biologically meaningful
\nresults. Next, we present some details about calculating shape descriptors and using them in analysis of
\nshape variation, the issues to be aware of, and what such results mean when defi ning shape groups as species
\ngroups. Finally, we provide a glimpse of the future in using morphometric methods in diatom research.