• Plants have utterly transformed the planet, but testing hypotheses of causality requires a reliable time-scale for plant evolution. While clock methods been extensively developed, less attention has paid to correct interpretation and appropriate implementation fossil data. We constructed 17 calibrations, consisting minimum constraints soft maximum constraints, divergences between model representatives major land lineages. Using data set seven plastid genes, we performed cross-validation...

Since Darwin, biologists have been struck by the extraordinary diversity of teleost fishes, particularly in contrast to their closest "living fossil" holostean relatives. Hypothesized drivers success include innovations jaw mechanics, reproductive biology and, at present, genomic architecture, yet all scenarios presuppose enhanced phenotypic diversification teleosts. We test this key assumption quantifying evolutionary rate and capacity for innovation size shape first 160 million y...

Mycorrhizal symbioses are known to strongly influence plant performance, structure communities and shape ecosystem dynamics. Plant mycorrhizal traits, such as those characterising type (arbuscular (AM), ecto-, ericoid or orchid mycorrhiza) status (obligately (OM), facultatively (FM) non-mycorrhizal) offer valuable insight into belowground functionality. Here, we compile available trait information global occurrence data ( ∼ 100 million records) for 11,770 vascular species. Using a...

Abstract The PCMBase R package is a powerful computational tool that enables efficient calculations of likelihoods for wide range phylogenetic Gaussian models. Taking advantage it, we redesigned the mvSLOUCH . Here, demonstrate how new version can be used to thoroughly examine evolution and adaptation traits in large dataset 1252 vascular plants through use multivariate Ornstein–Uhlenbeck processes. results our analysis ability modelling framework distinguish between various alternative...

Understanding how and why some groups have become more species-rich than others, past biogeography may shaped their current distribution, are questions that evolutionary biologists long attempted to answer. We investigated diversification patterns historical of a hyperdiverse lineage Lepidoptera, the geometrid moths, by studying its most tribe Boarmiini, which comprises ca. 200 genera known 3000 species. inferred relationships Boarmiini based on dataset 346 taxa, with up eight genetic...

Interspecific variation in body size is one of the most popular topics comparative studies. Despite recent advances, little known about patterns and processes behind evolution insects. Here, we used a robust data set comprising all geometrid moth species occurring Northern Europe to examine evolutionary associations involving several life-history traits under an explicitly phylogenetic framework. We provided new insights into interactive effects on evidence correlated evolution. further...

Abstract The affinity of Tullimonstrum gregarium , a pincer‐mouthed, soft bodied bilaterian, has been subject to debate since its recovery from Carboniferous coal deposits at Mazon Creek, Illinois. After decades impasse focused on mollusc, arthropod and annelid attributes, two recent, yet conflicting, high‐profile studies concluded that the ‘Tully Monster’ is vertebrate, relative lampreys or jawed fishes. Here, we find structures described as supporting particularly crown face significant...

Abstract Comprising Holostei and Teleostei, the ~32,000 species of neopterygian fishes are anatomically disparate represent dominant group aquatic vertebrates today. However, pattern by which teleosts rose to almost all this diversity, while their holostean sister-group dwindled eight extant two broad morphologies, is poorly constrained. A geometric morphometric approach was taken generate a morphospace from more than 400 fossil taxa, representing articulated taxa known first 150 million...

Abstract Identifying environmental predictors of phenotype is fundamentally important to many ecological questions, from revealing broadscale processes predicting extinction risk. However, establishing robust environment—phenotype relationships challenging, as powerful case studies require diverse clades which repeatedly undergo transitions at multiple taxonomic scales. Actinopterygian fishes, with 32,000+ species, fulfil these criteria for the fundamental habitat divisions in water. With...

Environmental factors can cause cancer in both wild animals and humans. In ecological settings, genetic variation natural selection sometimes produce resilience to the negative impacts of environmental change. An increase oncogenic substances habitats has therefore, unintentionally, created opportunities for using polluted study defence mechanisms. The Baltic North Sea are among most contaminated marine areas, with a long history pollution. Two flatfish species (flounder, Platichthys flesus...

Journal Article The adaptive significance of menstruation: meaning menstruation in the elimination abnormal embryos Get access John Clarke Department ZoologySouth Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK Search for other works by this author on: Academic PubMed Google Scholar Human Reproduction, Volume 9, Issue 7, 1 July 1994, Pages 1204–1207, https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a138678 Published: 01 1994

Since Darwin, biologists have been struck by the extraordinary diversity of teleost fishes, particularly in contrast to their closest “living fossil” holostean relatives. Hypothesized drivers success include innovations jaw mechanics, reproductive biology and, at present, genomic architecture, yet all scenarios presuppose enhanced phenotypic diversification teleosts. We test this key assumption quantifying evolutionary rate and capacity for innovation size shape first 160 million y...

Abstract Aim Substantial progress has been made to map biodiversity and its drivers across the planet at multiple scales, yet studies that quantify evolutionary processes underpin this biodiversity, test their are comparatively rare. Studying most fish species, we rates of body size evolution role fundamental salinity habitats in shaping scales. We also determine how four additional factors shape rates. Location Global. Time Period Extant species. Major Taxa Studied Actinopterygii. Methods...

Coelacanths, lungfishes, and holosteans represent three emblematic living fossil lineages, thought to be united by similar patterns of phenotypic change through time. While past studies suggest that diverse evolutionary occur within these groups, it is unclear whether reflect biological differences or arise from contrasting analytical approaches. Here, we examine lineages under a common framework assess variation in the evolution discrete characters, morphometric shape data, test fossils...

Comprising Holostei and Teleostei, the ~32,000 species of neopterygian fishes are anatomically disparate represent dominant group aquatic vertebrates today. However, pattern by which teleosts rose to almost all this diversity, while their holostean sister-group dwindled eight extant two broad morphologies, is poorly constrained. A geometric morphometric approach was taken generate a morphospace from more than 400 fossil taxa, representing articulated taxa known first 150 million...

ABSTRACT Substantial progress has been made to map biodiversity and its drivers across the planet at multiple scales, yet studies that quantify evolutionary processes underpin this biodiversity, test their are comparatively rare. Studying most fish species, we rates of body size evolution role fundamental salinity habitats in shaping scales. We also determine how four additional factors shape rates. In up 1710 comparisons studying over 27,000 ray-finned compare between five habits using 12...