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The "Phoca standard": an external molecular reference for calibrating recent evolutionary divergences

U Arnason1, X Xu, A Gullberg

  • 1Division of Molecular Evolutionary Systematics, University of Lund, Sölvegatan 29, S-223 62 Lund, Sweden.

Journal of Molecular Evolution
|July 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

The "Phoca standard," derived from seal mitochondrial DNA, provides a new method for dating evolutionary divergences. This approach estimates that humans and chimpanzees diverged 6.1 million years ago, offering novel insights into primate evolution.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Molecular Phylogenetics
  • Primate Evolution

Background:

  • Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis of Arctic and sub-Arctic seals revealed genetic equidistance among species.
  • Seal mtDNA divergence was linked to Arctic glaciation, establishing a potential standard for calibrating recent mammalian evolutionary events.
  • Existing methods for dating hominid divergences often rely on paleontological and morphological data.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To apply the established "Phoca standard" from seal mtDNA to date divergences within the hominid phylogenetic tree.
  • To independently estimate divergence times of major hominid lineages using molecular data.
  • To provide a novel, calibration-independent approach for dating recent evolutionary splits.

Main Methods:

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  • Comparison of complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences from ringed, harbour, and grey seals.
  • Determination of relative substitution rates across mitochondrial protein-coding genes in different evolutionary lineages.
  • Application of the "Phoca standard" for molecular clock calibration to estimate hominid divergence times.

    • Main Results:

    • Humans and chimpanzees are estimated to have diverged 6.1 million years ago (Mya).
    • Divergence between common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and pygmy chimpanzee (P. paniscus) occurred approximately 3 Mya.
    • The split between Gorilla and Pan/Homo lineages is estimated at 8.4 Mya, and the divergence of Pongo from the lineage leading to gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans at 18.1 Mya.

    Conclusions:

    • The "Phoca standard" offers a reliable method for calibrating molecular clocks and dating recent evolutionary divergences.
    • The estimated divergence times for hominids are independent of paleontological and morphological data.
    • This molecular approach provides a novel framework for understanding primate evolutionary history.