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.
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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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Systematic Botany
Vol. 40 • No. 1
February 2015
Vol. 40 • No. 1
February 2015
Clade age estimation
divergence time analysis
diversification rates
Fossil calibration
molecular dating
rate heterogeneity