Diversification of Neoaves through time: Integration of molecular sequence data and fossils

Diversification of Neoaves through time : Integration of molecular sequence data and fossils

Patterns of diversification and timing of evolution within Neoaves, which includes almost 95% of all bird species, are virtually unknown. On the other hand, molecular data consistently indicate a Cretaceous origin of many neoavian lineages and the fossil record seems to support an Early Tertiary diversification. Here, we present the first well-resolved molecular phylogeny for Neoaves, together with divergence time estimates calibrated with a large number of stratigraphically and phylogenetically well-documented fossils. Our study defines several well-supported clades within Neoaves. The calibration results suggest that Neoaves, after an initial split from Galloanseres in Mid-Cretaceous, diversified around or soon after the K/T boundary. Our results thus do not contradict palaeontological data and show that there is no solid molecular evidence for an extensive pre-Tertiary radiation of Neoaves.

Av författaren/redakt...: Ericson, Per G. ...; Anderson, Cajsa ...; Britton, Tom; Elzanowski, Andr ...; Johansson, Ulf S ...; Källersjö, Mari; visa fler...; Ohlson, Jan I.; Parsons, Thomas ...; Zuccon, Dario; Mayr, Gerald; visa färre...

Om ämnet

Kungliga biblioteket hanterar dina personuppgifter i enlighet med EU:s dataskyddsförordning (2018), GDPR. Läs mer om hur det funkar här.
Så här hanterar KB dina uppgifter vid användning av denna tjänst.