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Molecular clocks and explosive radiations.

Lindell Bromham1

  • 1Biological Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK. L.D.Bromham@sussex.ac.uk

Journal of Molecular Evolution
|March 11, 2004
PubMed
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Molecular data aids evolutionary studies, but discrepancies with fossils prompt reevaluation. This study investigates if rapid molecular evolution rates during explosive radiations overestimate diversification dates.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Molecular Evolution
  • Paleontology

Background:

  • Molecular data offers a universal and abundant resource for reconstructing evolutionary history, including for organisms lacking fossil records.
  • Discrepancies between molecular and fossil-based divergence times for major radiations (e.g., Cambrian explosion, post-KT radiations) necessitate re-examining molecular dating assumptions.
  • A key question is whether accelerated molecular evolution rates during "explosive" radiations lead to overestimation of diversification timelines.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that variations in molecular evolution rates, potentially linked to "explosive" radiations, contribute to overestimating diversification dates.
  • To examine four proposed drivers of fast molecular rates in explosive radiations: body size, morphological evolution rate, speciation rate, and ecological diversification.

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Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of existing empirical evidence on patterns of molecular evolution rate variation.
  • Analysis of correlations between proposed drivers (body size, morphological rate, speciation rate, ecological diversification) and molecular evolution rates in the context of explosive radiations.

Main Results:

  • The abstract does not contain specific results, but outlines the examination of hypothetical causes for fast molecular rates in explosive radiations.
  • The study aims to provide empirical evidence to assess the impact of these factors on molecular dating.

Conclusions:

  • The study aims to clarify the reliability of molecular dating, particularly for periods of rapid diversification.
  • Findings could refine our understanding of evolutionary timelines and the factors influencing molecular evolution rates.