scholarly journals Divergence time estimation of Galliformes based on the best gene shopping scheme of ultraconserved elements

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
De Chen ◽  
Peter A. Hosner ◽  
Donna L. Dittmann ◽  
John P. O’Neill ◽  
Sharon M. Birks ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Divergence time estimation is fundamental to understanding many aspects of the evolution of organisms, such as character evolution, diversification, and biogeography. With the development of sequence technology, improved analytical methods, and knowledge of fossils for calibration, it is possible to obtain robust molecular dating results. However, while phylogenomic datasets show great promise in phylogenetic estimation, the best ways to leverage the large amounts of data for divergence time estimation has not been well explored. A potential solution is to focus on a subset of data for divergence time estimation, which can significantly reduce the computational burdens and avoid problems with data heterogeneity that may bias results. Results In this study, we obtained thousands of ultraconserved elements (UCEs) from 130 extant galliform taxa, including representatives of all genera, to determine the divergence times throughout galliform history. We tested the effects of different “gene shopping” schemes on divergence time estimation using a carefully, and previously validated, set of fossils. Our results found commonly used clock-like schemes may not be suitable for UCE dating (or other data types) where some loci have little information. We suggest use of partitioning (e.g., PartitionFinder) and selection of tree-like partitions may be good strategies to select a subset of data for divergence time estimation from UCEs. Our galliform time tree is largely consistent with other molecular clock studies of mitochondrial and nuclear loci. With our increased taxon sampling, a well-resolved topology, carefully vetted fossil calibrations, and suitable molecular dating methods, we obtained a high quality galliform time tree. Conclusions We provide a robust galliform backbone time tree that can be combined with more fossil records to further facilitate our understanding of the evolution of Galliformes and can be used as a resource for comparative and biogeographic studies in this group.

2015 ◽  
Vol 282 (1798) ◽  
pp. 20141013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel C. M. Warnock ◽  
James F. Parham ◽  
Walter G. Joyce ◽  
Tyler R. Lyson ◽  
Philip C. J. Donoghue

Calibration is the rate-determining step in every molecular clock analysis and, hence, considerable effort has been expended in the development of approaches to distinguish good from bad calibrations. These can be categorized into a priori evaluation of the intrinsic fossil evidence, and a posteriori evaluation of congruence through cross-validation. We contrasted these competing approaches and explored the impact of different interpretations of the fossil evidence upon Bayesian divergence time estimation. The results demonstrate that a posteriori approaches can lead to the selection of erroneous calibrations. Bayesian posterior estimates are also shown to be extremely sensitive to the probabilistic interpretation of temporal constraints. Furthermore, the effective time priors implemented within an analysis differ for individual calibrations when employed alone and in differing combination with others. This compromises the implicit assumption of all calibration consistency methods, that the impact of an individual calibration is the same when used alone or in unison with others. Thus, the most effective means of establishing the quality of fossil-based calibrations is through a priori evaluation of the intrinsic palaeontological, stratigraphic, geochronological and phylogenetic data. However, effort expended in establishing calibrations will not be rewarded unless they are implemented faithfully in divergence time analyses.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Warnock ◽  
Jan Engelstädter

The molecular clock in combination with evidence from the geological record can be applied to infer the timing and dynamics of evolutionary events. This has enormous potential to shed light on the complex and often evasive evolution of parasites. Here, we provide an overview of molecular clock methodology and recent advances that increase the potential for the study of host-parasite coevolutionary dynamics, with a focus on Bayesian approaches to divergence time estimation. We highlight the challenges in applying these methods to the study of parasites, including the nature of parasite genomes, the incompleteness of the rock and fossil records, and the complexity of host-parasite interactions. Developments in models of molecular evolution and approaches to deriving temporal constraints from geological evidence will help overcome some of these issues. However, we also describe a case study in which the timescale of host-parasite coevolution cannot easily be inferred using existing methods – that of the alpha-proteobacteria Wolbachia. We conclude by providing a prospective on future methodological developments and data collection that will facilitate in understanding the role of parasitism in deep time.


AoB Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min-Jie Li ◽  
Huan-Xi Yu ◽  
Xian-Lin Guo ◽  
Xing-Jin He

Abstract The disjunctive distribution (Europe-Caucasus-Asia) and species diversification across Eurasia for the genus Allium sect. Daghestanica has fascinating attractions for researchers aiming to understanding the development and history of the modern Eurasia flora. However, no any studies have been carried out to address the evolutionary history of this section. Based on the nrITS and cpDNA fragments (trnL-trnF and rpl32-trnL), the evolutionary history of the third evolutionary line (EL3) of the genus Allium was reconstructed and we further elucidate the evolutionary line of sect. Daghestanica under this background. Our molecular phylogeny recovered two highly supported clades in sect. Daghestanica: the Clade I includes Caucasian-European species and Asian A. maowenense, A. xinlongense and A. carolinianum collected in Qinghai; the Clade II comprises Asian yellowish tepal species, A. chrysanthum, A. chrysocephalum, A. herderianum, A. rude and A. xichuanense. The divergence time estimation and biogeography inference indicated that Asian ancestor located in the QTP and the adjacent region could have migrated to Caucasus and Europe distributions around the Late Miocene and resulted in further divergence and speciation; Asian ancestor underwent the rapid radiation in the QTP and the adjacent region most likely due to the heterogeneous ecology of the QTP resulted from the orogeneses around 4–3 Mya. Our study provides a picture to understand the origin and species diversification across Eurasia for sect. Daghestanica.


Mycologia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 526-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debora Cervieri Guterres ◽  
Samuel Galvão-Elias ◽  
Bruno Cézar Pereira de Souza ◽  
Danilo Batista Pinho ◽  
Maria do Desterro Mendes dos Santos ◽  
...  

PLoS ONE ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. e0217959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hussam Zaher ◽  
Robert W. Murphy ◽  
Juan Camilo Arredondo ◽  
Roberta Graboski ◽  
Paulo Roberto Machado-Filho ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Carruthers ◽  
Robert W Scotland

Abstract Understanding and representing uncertainty is crucial in academic research, because it enables studies to build on the conclusions of previous studies, leading to robust advances in a particular field. Here, we evaluate the nature of uncertainty and the manner by which it is represented in divergence time estimation, a field that is fundamental to many aspects of macroevolutionary research, and where there is evidence that uncertainty has been seriously underestimated. We address this issue in the context of methods used in divergence time estimation, and with respect to the manner by which time-calibrated phylogenies are interpreted. With respect to methods, we discuss how the assumptions underlying different methods may not adequately reflect uncertainty about molecular evolution, the fossil record, or diversification rates. Therefore, divergence time estimates may not adequately reflect uncertainty, and may be directly contradicted by subsequent findings. For the interpretation of time-calibrated phylogenies, we discuss how the use of time-calibrated phylogenies for reconstructing general evolutionary timescales leads to inferences about macroevolution that are highly sensitive to methodological limitations in how uncertainty is accounted for. By contrast, we discuss how the use of time-calibrated phylogenies to test specific hypotheses leads to inferences about macroevolution that are less sensitive to methodological limitations. Given that many biologists wish to use time-calibrated phylogenies to reconstruct general evolutionary timescales, we conclude that the development of methods of divergence time estimation that adequately account for uncertainty is necessary.


2019 ◽  
Vol 187 (2) ◽  
pp. 378-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabiana Criste Massariol ◽  
Daniela Maeda Takiya ◽  
Frederico Falcão Salles

AbstractOligoneuriidae is a Pantropical family of Ephemeroptera, with 68 species described in 12 genera. Three subfamilies are recognized: Chromarcyinae, with a single species from East Asia; Colocrurinae, with two fossil species from Brazil; and Oligoneuriinae, with the remaining species distributed in the Neotropical, Nearctic, Afrotropical and Palaearctic regions. Phylogenetic and biogeographical analyses were performed for the family based on 2762 characters [73 morphological and 2689 molecular (COI, 16S, 18S and 28S)]. Four major groups were recovered in all analyses (parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference), and they were assigned to tribal level, namely Oligoneuriini, Homoeoneuriini trib. nov., Oligoneuriellini trib. nov. and Elassoneuriini trib. nov. In addition, Yawari and Madeconeuria were elevated to genus level. According to Statistical Dispersal-Vicariance (S-DIVA), Dispersal Extinction Cladogenesis (DEC) and divergence time estimation analyses, Oligoneuriidae originated ~150 Mya in the Gondwanan supercontinent, but was probably restricted to the currently delimited Neotropical region. The initial divergence of Oligoneuriidae involved a range expansion to Oriental and Afrotropical areas, sometime between 150 and 118 Mya. At ~118 Mya, the family started its diversification, reaching the Nearctic through dispersal from the Neotropical region and the Palaearctic and Madagascar from the Afrotropical region.


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