Integrated fossil and molecular data reconstruct bat echolocation.

ABSTRACT: Molecular and morphological data have important roles in illuminating evolutionary history. DNA data often yield well resolved phylogenies for living taxa, but are generally unattainable for fossils. A distinct advantage of morphology is that some types of morphological data may be collected for extinct and extant taxa. Fossils provide a unique window on evolutionary history and may preserve combinations of primitive and derived characters that are not found in extant taxa. Given their unique character complexes, fossils are critical in documenting sequences of character transformation over geologic time and may elucidate otherwise ambiguous patterns of evolution that are not revealed by molecular data alone. Here, we employ a methodological approach that allows for the integration of mole

SUBMITTER: Springer MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC33452 | biostudies-literature | 2001 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature