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Phylogenetic tests for evolutionary innovation: the problematic link between key innovations and exceptional

Daniel L Rabosky1

  • 1Museum of Zoology and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1079, USA drabosky@umich.edu.

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Evolutionary key innovations may not increase diversification rates, but rather expand a lineage's ecological interactions. This redefines how we identify major evolutionary advancements and understand biodiversity.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Macroevolution
  • Phylogenetics

Background:

  • Evolutionary innovation drives species diversity.
  • Key innovations are traditionally defined as traits increasing diversification rates.
  • Current methods for identifying key innovations are debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the inference, analysis, and interpretation of evolutionary innovation on phylogenetic trees.
  • To propose a revised definition of key innovation.
  • To discuss the limitations of using diversification rates for key innovation tests.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on evolutionary innovation and phylogenetic analysis.
  • Theoretical argument against using diversification rates as the sole criterion for key innovations.
  • Discussion of alternative interpretations based on ecological and morphological shifts.

Main Results:

  • Differential lineage diversification rates are not a reliable basis for key innovation tests.
  • Key innovations may increase total diversification without necessarily increasing diversification rates.
  • Phylogenetic branching patterns alone have limited information content for inferring innovation.

Conclusions:

  • A key innovation is a trait enabling novel environmental interactions, leading to increased total diversification.
  • Phylogenetic trees are better suited for identifying transformational shifts in ecological and morphological space.
  • Rethinking the definition of key innovation is crucial for understanding macroevolutionary patterns and biodiversity.