Testing Character Evolution Models in Phylogenetic Paleobiology: A case study with Cambrian echinoderms

Macroevolutionary inference is a two-step process that involves inferring a tree and then inferring a macroevolutionary model using that tree. Newer models blend the two steps and use more fossils and parameters than prior models, allowing for a better understanding of phylogenetic relatedness and testing macroevolutionary hypotheses.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 26 August 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Macroevolutionary inference has traditionally been approached as a two-step process, consisting of inferring a tree and subsequently utilizing that tree to infer a macroevolutionary model. However, newer models have integrated these steps, combining them into a single framework. These models leverage fossils more effectively than their predecessors, utilizing a greater number of parameters. These parameters often require empirical understanding, which can be challenging for researchers.

In this Element, we present a framework for fitting complex, hierarchical models. The authors employ this framework to estimate a dated phylogeny of the Cincta (Echinodermata), a morphologically distinct group of Cambrian echinoderms lacking the fivefold radial symmetry characteristic of extant members of the phylum. While the phylogeny of cinctans remains poorly supported in certain areas, this Element demonstrates how models of character change and diversification contribute to understanding patterns of phylogenetic relatedness and testing macroevolutionary hypotheses.

By integrating tree inference and macroevolutionary model inference, these newer models provide a more comprehensive approach to understanding the evolution of organisms. They allow researchers to explore the relationships between different species and to test hypotheses about the processes driving macroevolutionary change. As our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying evolution continues to grow, we can expect these models to become even more powerful tools for studying the history of life on Earth.

Weight: 94g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009048842