Abstract Detail

Phylogenetic Comparative Methods and Approaches in Plant Science

Moore, Brian [1], May, Michael, R [2].

New (and Improved) Phylogenetic Methods for Detecting Shifts in Rates of Lineage Diversification.

Differential rates of lineage diversification (speciation – extinction) are cen- tral to the study of several evolutionary phenomena, including adaptive radia- tion, diversity dependent-diversification, key innovations, and mass extinction. This has motivated the development of several statistical methods for detecting variation in rates of diversification from phylogenetic trees. Rates of diver- sification may vary through time, across lineages, and/or in association with some other variable (such as changes in the state of a morphological trait or dispersal to a new geographic area). Here we focus on methods for detecting shifts in rates of diversification along the branches of a phylogenetic tree. We first present results of a simulation study that explores the statistical behavior of likelihood-based methods for identifying lineage-specific diversification rates. Our findings reveal some serious problems with these methods. We then present a modified method that resolves many of these problems. This new method is demonstrably more reliable under simulation, and so should allow biologists to better study patterns—and understand associated evolutionary processes—of differential lineage diversification. 

1 - University of California, Davis, Department of Evolution & Ecology, Storer Hall, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 956126, USA
2 - University of California, Davis, Department of Evolution & Ecology, Storer Hall, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA

Keywords:
diversification rates shifts
Speciation
extinction
Phylogeny.

Presentation Type: Symposium or Colloquium Presentation
Session: SY01
Location: Evergreen/Grove
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2014
Time: 9:15 AM
Number: SY01004
Abstract ID:734
Candidate for Awards:None