Global patterns of insect diversification: towards a reconciliation of fossil and molecular evidence?

ABSTRACT: Macroevolutionary studies of insects at diverse taxonomic scales often reveal dynamic evolutionary patterns, with multiple inferred diversification rate shifts. Responses to major past environmental changes, such as the Cretaceous Terrestrial Revolution, or the development of major key innovations, such as wings or complete metamorphosis are usually invoked as potential evolutionary triggers. However this view is partially contradicted by studies on the family-level fossil record showing that insect diversification was relatively constant through time. In an attempt to reconcile both views, we investigate large-scale insect diversification dynamics at family level using two distinct types of diversification analyses on a molecular timetree representing ca. 82% of the extant families, and r

SUBMITTER: Condamine FL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4725974 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature