Statistical models for jointly analyzing multiple allometries

As the reciprocal of simple allometry equation, power allometry equation can also be used to define allometry scaling but the scaling exponent has an opposite meaning to that of simple allometry equation. Based on this observation, a joint static allometry scaling model of entire body size on multiple partial body size is established, which can not only simultaneously evaluate allometry scaling of multiple partial body sizes, but also take into account the correlations among multiple partial body sizes, facilitating subsequent statistical inference and practice. Since ontogenetic allometry may be time-dependent, ontogenetic allometry is estimated by jointly analyzing changes of entire and multiple partial body sizes as growth time using multivariate stepwise analysis. Joint analysis of allometry scaling is suitable for multiple biological traits and functions with same property or comparability, which is illustrated by two examples.

► Statistical model is developed for jointly analyzing multiple allometries. ► It is suitable for multiple biological traits with same property or comparability. ► It takes into account the correlations among multiple traits. ► It facilitates statistical and genetic analysis for multiple allometries. ► Two examples are used to illustrate the joint analysis for multiple allometries.