Population Genetics, Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
Trends Ecol Evol. 2013 Nov;28(11):636-42. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2013.07.007. Epub 2013 Aug 21.
Phylogenomic advances provide more rigorous estimates for the timing of evolutionary divergences than previously available (e.g., Bayesian relaxed-clock estimates with soft fossil constraints). However, because many family-level clades and higher, as well as model species within those clades, have not been included in phylogenomic studies, the literature presents temporal estimates likely harboring substantial errors. Blindly using such dates can substantially retard scientific advancement. We suggest a way forward by conducting analyses that minimize prior assumptions and use large datasets, and demonstrate how using such a phylogenomic approach can lead to significantly more parsimonious conclusions without a good fossil record. We suggest that such an approach calls for research into the biological causes of conflict between molecular and fossil signatures.
系统发生基因组学的进展比以前提供了更严格的进化分歧时间估计，而以前可用的方法（例如，具有软化石约束的贝叶斯松弛时钟估计）。然而，由于许多科级及更高阶的分类群以及这些分类群中的模式物种尚未包含在基因组学研究中，因此文献中提供的时间估计可能存在很大的误差。盲目使用这些日期可能会严重阻碍科学进步。我们建议通过进行分析来推进研究，这些分析尽量减少先验假设并使用大数据集，并展示如何在没有良好化石记录的情况下使用这种基因组学方法可以得出更简洁的结论。我们认为，这种方法需要研究分子和化石特征之间冲突的生物学原因。
