AI Article Synopsis
- The study introduces a method to calculate the exact probability distribution of divergence times in a phylogenetic tree using only fossil ages, particularly under the Fossilized Birth-Death model.
- It specifically focuses on determining the age of Amniota, revealing it to be approximately 322 to 340 million years ago, which is older than the previously assumed range of 310-315 million years.
- This research is significant as it not only revises the timeline for key evolutionary events but also presents a new technique to understand the probability density of divergence times in evolutionary studies.
Article Abstract
Being given a phylogenetic tree of both extant and extinct taxa in which the fossil ages are the only temporal information (namely, in which divergence times are considered unknown), we provide a method to compute the exact probability distribution of any divergence time of the tree with regard to any speciation (cladogenesis), extinction, and fossilization rates under the Fossilized Birth-Death model. We use this new method to obtain a probability distribution for the age of Amniota (the synapsid/sauropsid or bird/mammal divergence), one of the most-frequently used dating constraints. Our results suggest an older age (between about 322 and 340 Ma) than has been assumed by most studies that have used this constraint (which typically assumed a best estimate around 310-315 Ma) and provide, for the first time, a method to compute the shape of the probability density for this divergence time. [Divergence times; fossil ages; fossilized birth-death model; probability distribution.].
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syaa021 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!