Ancient hyaenas highlight the old problem of estimating evolutionary rates

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary biology
• Paleogenetics
• Molecular ecology

Background:

• Phylogenetic analyses using ancient DNA (aDNA) can establish evolutionary timelines.
• Accurate evolutionary rate inference depends on sample number, age, sequence data, and population demography.

Purpose of the Study:

• To recalibrate the timing of hyaena diversification using aDNA.
• To highlight the importance of accurate evolutionary rate estimation for diversification timescales.

Main Methods:

• Mitochondrial DNA sequencing from ancient and modern hyaena samples.
• Inference of evolutionary rates from Pleistocene hyaena sequences.
• Recalibration of hyaena diversification timing.

Main Results:

• Analysis of ancient and present-day hyaena mitochondrial DNA.
• Inferred evolutionary rate from three Pleistocene Chinese hyaena samples.
• Suggests a more recent evolutionary history for hyaenas than previously thought.

Conclusions:

• Accurate evolutionary rate estimation is vital for inferring diversification timescales.
• Ancient DNA provides a timeline for evolutionary change, complementing fossil records.
• The study recalibrates hyaena evolutionary history based on new aDNA data.