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12 February 2015 Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Applications of the “Molecular Clock” in Systematic Biology
Charles D. Bell
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Abstract

Divergence time analyses have become increasingly popular over the past several decades, partly due to the proliferation of molecular data, but also because of the development of methods that do not assume a strict molecular clock. In this review, I provide a brief background to the topic, then highlight several methods for “relaxing” the assumptions of a strict molecular clock. I discuss the pros and cons of many of these methods. Finally, I discuss the various techniques for incorporating fossils in molecular studies to estimate absolute ages of clades.

© Copyright 2015 by the American Society of Plant Taxonomists
Charles D. Bell "Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Applications of the “Molecular Clock” in Systematic Biology," Systematic Botany 40(1), 6-13, (12 February 2015). https://doi.org/10.1600/036364415X686297
Published: 12 February 2015
KEYWORDS
Clade age estimation
divergence time analysis
diversification rates
Fossil calibration
molecular dating
rate heterogeneity
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