The use of the hyperbolic smoothing clustering algorithm in taxonomy of macroalgae

¹ State University Piauí – UESPI, Brazil
batistamariagardenia@gmail.com; karnauba@gmail.com
² Federal University of Piauí – UFPI, Brazil
andremacedo@ufpi.edu.br
³ Federal University of Rio de Janeiro – UFRJ, Brazil
adilsonxavier@gmail.com

Received: 18 September 2014
Accepted: 5 January 2015

Abstract

This work proposes a new methodological approach for grouping data in taxonomy. Macroalgae of the genus Caulerpa were selected as a study model on basis of their remarkable morphological plasticity, and of the difficulty in identifying those algae using the traditional systematical methods. The results obtained from the application of the hyperbolic smoothing algorithm demonstrate the feasibility of its use in biological taxonomy. The new methodology herein proposed may be used isolatedly or in association with other methodologies already proven, not only in phycology, but also in other areas of biology.