Biogeographic Dating of Speciation Times Using Paleogeographically Informed Processes.

ABSTRACT: Standard models of molecular evolution cannot estimate absolute speciation times alone, and require external calibrations to do so, such as fossils. Because fossil calibration methods rely on the incomplete fossil record, a great number of nodes in the tree of life cannot be dated precisely. However, many major paleogeographical events are dated, and since biogeographic processes depend on paleogeographical conditions, biogeographic dating may be used as an alternative or complementary method to fossil dating. I demonstrate how a time-stratified biogeographic stochastic process may be used to estimate absolute divergence times by conditioning on dated paleogeographical events. Informed by the current paleogeographical literature, I construct an empirical dispersal graph using 25 areas and

SUBMITTER: Landis MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5837510 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature