KUKU

KU ScholarWorks

  • myKU
  • Email
  • Enroll & Pay
  • KU Directory
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
    • Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Scholarly Works
    • View Item
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
    • Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Scholarly Works
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Communicating Phylogeny: Evolutionary Tree Diagrams in Museums

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    MacDonald Trees author final.pdf (1.080Mb)
    Issue Date
    2012
    Author
    MacDonald, Teresa
    Wiley, Edward O.
    Publisher
    Springer
    Type
    Article
    Article Version
    Scholarly/refereed, author accepted manuscript
    Rights
    Copyright 2012, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    Tree of life diagrams are graphic representations of phylogeny—the evolutionary history and relationships of lineages—and as such these graphics have the potential to convey key evolutionary ideas and principles to a variety of audiences. Museums play a significant role in teaching about evolution to the public, and tree graphics form a common element in many exhibits even though little is known about their impact on visitor understanding. How phylogenies are depicted and used in informal science settings impacts their accessibility and effectiveness in communicating about evolution to visitors. In this paper, we summarize the analysis of 185 tree of life graphics collected from museum exhibits at 52 institutions and highlight some potential implications of how trees are presented that may support or hinder visitors’ understanding about evolution. While further work is needed, existing learning research suggests that common elements among the diversity of museum trees such as the inclusion of anagenesis and absence of time and shared characters might represent potential barriers to visitor understanding.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1808/9307
    DOI
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s12052-012-0387-0
    Collections
    • Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Scholarly Works [1516]
    Citation
    Teresa MacDonald & E. O. Wiley (2012) Communicating Phylogeny: Evolutionary Tree Diagrams in Museums. Evolution Education Outreach (2012) 5:14–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12052-012-0387-0

    Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.


    We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.


    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    Browse

    All of KU ScholarWorksCommunities & CollectionsThis Collection

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    The University of Kansas
      Contact KU ScholarWorks
    Lawrence, KS | Maps
     
    • Academics
    • Admission
    • Alumni
    • Athletics
    • Campuses
    • Giving
    • Jobs

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.

     Contact KU
    Lawrence, KS | Maps