Understanding Gaps in the Fossil Record
Author Information
Author(s): Mareike Fischer, Mike Steel
Primary Institution: University of Canterbury
Hypothesis
Can we expect fossils from intermediate times to be morphologically intermediate between other fossils?
Conclusion
The study shows that the expected degree of relatedness of fossils sampled from different times can vary significantly based on the shape of the phylogenetic tree.
Supporting Evidence
- The study demonstrates that gaps in the fossil record do not necessarily indicate a lack of intermediates.
- Mathematical models can help infer patterns of diversification in evolutionary biology.
- The expected degree of relatedness between fossils can be influenced by the shape of the phylogenetic tree.
Takeaway
This study looks at why we might not find fossils that show gradual changes between species, suggesting that the way we sample fossils affects what we see.
Methodology
The authors used a mathematical model to analyze the expected morphological relationships between fossils sampled at different times.
Limitations
The model relies on several assumptions about the nature of morphological divergence and the fossil record.
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