Kerry Manson

Working Thesis Title

Mathematical Aspects of Phylogenetic Diversity Measures

Phylogenetic Diversity (PD) is one of the leading ways in which evolutionary biologists attempt to measure the concept of biodiversity. In this thesis we are largely concerned with the mathematical aspects of PD, in particular understanding its extremes. We also investigate further measures derived from PD, such as those that measure the evolutionary distinctiveness of species. The long-standing question of the adequacy of PD as a substitute for another measure, feature diversity, is discussed as well. The various topics we study are linked by an overarching goal: to better understand the theory the behind measurement of biodiversity.    

  

 Supervisors:

Primary Supervisor: Charles Semple

 

Research Interests

Phylogenetics, Graph Theory, Algorithms, Social Choice Theory, Integer Partitions, L-systems.

Academic History

1. MSc in Mathematics (Social choice theory), University of Auckland. Thesis title: Multiwinner voting rules
2. BA(Hons.) in Mathematics (Social choice theory), University of Auckland. Dissertation: Power indices and their real-world application.

Professional History

• Lecturing, University of Canterbury International College:
• Discrete Mathematics (MTH120) - Semester One 2024, Summer Semester 2023/24

Publications

Published

1. Manson, K., Semple, C. & Steel, M. Counting and optimising maximum phylogenetic diversity sets. J. Math. Biol. 85, 11 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00285-022-01779-3
2. Manson, K., Steel, M. Spaces of Phylogenetic Diversity Indices: Combinatorial and Geometric Properties. Bull Math Biol 85, 78 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11538-023-01183-y
3. Rosindell, J., Manson, K., Gumbs, R., Pearse, W.D. & Steel, M. Phylogenetic Biodiversity Metrics Should Account for Both Accumulation and Attrition of Evolutionary Heritage. Systematic Biology, 2023;, syad072, https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syad072

Under review

Manson, K. The robustness of phylogenetic diversity indices to extinctions. Preprint available at https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.06.28.498028