See the G-matrix Evolve!

G-matrix following optimum

An eccentric G-matrix following a moving optimum.

This page presents software for the study of G-matrix evolution. This software can be used to reproduce the data sets from our papers or to illustrate G-matrix evolution in courses for undergraduates or graduate students. These programs are not web applications: you should download them and run them on your own Windows-based computer.

The G-matrix Renderer

The G-matrix Renderer is a small program that produces a graphical representation of an evolving G-matrix. The program comes with documentation and some sample files that show how the G-matrix evolves and influences evolutionary trajectories under some interesting evolutionary scenarios. You can use the G-matrix Simulator (see below) to output your own data for the G-matrix Renderer under any evolutionary scenario that interests you. Download the G-matrix Renderer now, extract the files, and read the short "ReadMe" file to get started. It's probably easiest to right-click on the link and select "Save Target As...", after which you can select a place to save it. Be sure to "Extract" the files before running the program.

The G-matrix Simulator

The G-matrix Simulator is an industrial strength program for the study of the evolutionary dynamics of the G-matrix and trait evolution. Its simplest role is to produce the types of files needed for the G-matrix Renderer under various parameter values. However, it can also be used to reproduce the results from some of our simulation studies. Combined with the G-matrix Renderer, the simulator can be useful for demonstrating the importance of the G-matrix and its evolutionary dynamics. Using the simulator to collect actual interesting data is a little more advanced and would require an understanding of the documentation and the scientific papers referenced therein. You can download the G-matrix Simulator, extract it, read the somewhat long documentation (you don't have to read it all for the program to be useful, however), and get started with G-matrix fun!

The Author of the Renderer and Simulator

Muhammad Arian

Muhammad Arian wrote these two programs as an undergraduate research scholar in the laboratory of Adam Jones at Texas A&M University

Jones Lab * Reinhard Bürger * Steve Arnold * Biology Department * Texas A&M University