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Synthesizing and databasing fossil calibrations: divergence dating and beyond
Daniel T Ksepka1, Michael J Benton, Matthew T Carrano
1Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA. daniel_ksepka@ncsu.edu
Biology Letters
|April 29, 2011
Summary
Divergence dating studies integrate fossil and molecular data to explore life's history. Experts convened to improve interdisciplinary collaboration and data synthesis for more accurate evolutionary timelines.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Paleontology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Divergence dating, combining fossil and molecular phylogenetic data, is a key method for reconstructing life's history.
- The National Evolutionary Synthesis Center convened the first Fossil Calibrations Working Group to address interdisciplinary challenges.
Framework:
- Focus on best practices for fossil calibration justification, reporting, and utilization.
- Identify and overcome roadblocks in synthesizing paleontological and molecular data.
Implementation:
- Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration among paleontologists, molecular evolutionists, and bioinformaticians.
- Develop bioinformatics solutions to improve data integration and analysis.
Implications:
- Proposed a new database for vetted fossil calibrations linked to existing resources.
- Aimed to enhance the accuracy and reliability of divergence dating studies.
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