bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Nov. 19, 2023
Abstract
Aim
Species
age,
the
elapsed
time
since
origination,
can
give
an
insight
into
how
species
longevity
might
influence
eco-evolutionary
dynamics
and
has
been
hypothesized
to
extinction
risk.
Traditionally,
ages
have
measured
in
fossil
record.
However,
recently,
numerous
studies
attempted
estimate
of
extant
from
branch
lengths
time-calibrated
phylogenies.
This
approach
poses
problems
because
phylogenetic
trees
contain
direct
information
about
identity
only
at
tips
not
along
branches.
Here,
we
show
that
incomplete
taxon
sampling,
extinction,
different
assumptions
speciation
modes
significantly
alter
relationship
between
true
age
lengths,
leading
high
error
rates.
We
found
these
biases
lead
erroneous
interpretations
patterns
derived
comparison
other
traits,
such
as
Innovation
For
bifurcating
speciation,
which
is
default
assumption
most
analyses,
propose
a
probabilistic
improve
estimation
ages,
based
on
properties
birth-death
process.
our
model
reduce
by
one
order
magnitude
under
cases
percentage
unsampled
species.
Main
conclusion
Our
results
call
for
caution
interpreting
this
biased
conclusions.
that,
bifurcate,
it
possible
obtain
better
approximations
combining
with
expectations
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
121(13)
Published: March 11, 2024
With
~14,000
extant
species,
ants
are
ubiquitous
and
of
tremendous
ecological
importance.
They
have
undergone
remarkable
diversification
throughout
their
evolutionary
history.
However,
the
drivers
diversity
dynamics
not
well
quantified
or
understood.
Previous
phylogenetic
analyses
suggested
patterns
associated
with
Angiosperm
Terrestrial
Revolution
(ATR),
but
these
studies
overlooked
valuable
information
from
fossil
record.
To
address
this
gap,
we
conducted
a
comprehensive
analysis
using
large
dataset
that
includes
both
ant
record
(~24,000
individual
occurrences)
neontological
data
(~14,000
occurrences),
tested
four
hypotheses
proposed
for
diversification:
co-diversification,
competitive
extinction,
hyper-specialization,
buffered
extinction.
Taking
into
account
biases
in
record,
found
three
distinct
periods
(the
latest
Cretaceous,
Eocene,
Oligo-Miocene)
one
extinction
period
(Late
Cretaceous).
The
hypothesis
between
stem
crown
is
supported.
Instead,
support
hyper-specialization
hypotheses.
environmental
changes
ATR,
mediated
by
angiosperm
radiation,
likely
played
critical
role
buffering
against
favoring
providing
new
niches,
such
as
forest
litter
arboreal
nesting
sites,
additional
resources.
We
also
hypothesize
decline
during
Late
Cretaceous
was
due
to
hyper-specialized
morphology,
which
limited
ability
expand
dietary
niche
changing
environments.
This
study
highlights
importance
holistic
approach
when
studying
interplay
past
environments
trajectories
organisms.
Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
12
Published: Jan. 10, 2025
Elasmobranchs
(sharks
and
rays)
are
a
charismatic
lineage
of
unquestionable
ecological
importance
in
past
present
marine
ecosystems.
Represented
by
over
1200
species,
elasmobranchs
have
undergone
substantial
shifts
taxonomic
diversity
since
their
origin.
Quantifying
these
diversification
trends
underlying
causes
improves
our
understanding
macroevolutionary
processes
the
factors
influencing
community
composition
through
deep
time.
Studies
addressing
drivers
Elasmobranchii
yielded
conflicting
results;
some
report
clear
relationships
between
specific
traits
events,
whilst
others
fail
to
find
support
for
such
relationships.
There
is
also
evidence
suggest
that
biotic
interactions
or
environmental
(global
climatic
change
tectonic
events)
shaped
elasmobranch
dynamics.
In
this
review,
we
summarise
dynamics
evolutionary
history,
before
considering
three
principal
hypothesised
clade:
trait
evolution,
interactions,
change.
Finally,
discuss
major
limitations
field,
how
discordant
methodologies
data
sources
hamper
current
Elasmobranchii.
Whilst
future
studies
will
undoubtedly
be
required
further
unravel
complex
relationship,
no
single
factor
can
considered
sole
satisfactory
explanation
observed
time
exclusion
other.
Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
292(2042)
Published: March 1, 2025
Understanding
the
underlying
mechanisms
that
have
generated
striking
biodiversity
inhabiting
deep-sea
ecosystems
remains
a
challenge
in
evolutionary
biology.
Here,
we
addressed
this
topic
by
studying
macroevolutionary
dynamics
shaped
diversification
of
squaliform
sharks,
an
iconic
clade
vertebrates.
Using
phylogenetic
comparative
methods
and
fossil-based
Bayesian
estimates,
both
at
species
level,
combined
fossil
record
data
with
molecular
phylogenies
to
provide
quantitative
framework
for
understanding
history
Squaliformes.
We
reveal
early
lineages
originated
shallow
water
during
Early
Cretaceous
experienced
multiple
independent
shifts
toward
deep
sea
Late
Cretaceous.
Importantly,
show
these
were
likely
facilitated
acquisition
bioluminescence,
which
significantly
impacted
body
size
evolution
among
lineages.
Furthermore,
colonization
events
coincide
periods
climate
warming
marine
transgression
Cenomanian-Turonian
Palaeocene-Eocene
transitions.
Following
colonizations,
diversified
over
last
30
Myr,
resulting
one
richest
radiations
sharks.
These
results
demonstrate
how
complex
interplay
between
key
innovation
new
habitats
drove
major
ecological
transition,
highlighting
importance
integrative
when
deep-time
dynamics.
Science,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
379(6634), P. 802 - 806
Published: Feb. 24, 2023
The
Cretaceous-Paleogene
event
was
the
last
mass
extinction
event,
yet
its
impact
and
long-term
effects
on
species-level
marine
vertebrate
diversity
remain
largely
uncharacterized.
We
quantified
elasmobranch
(sharks,
skates,
rays)
speciation,
extinction,
ecological
change
resulting
from
end-Cretaceous
using
>3200
fossil
occurrences
675
species
spanning
Late
Cretaceous-Paleocene
interval
at
global
scale.
Elasmobranchs
declined
by
>62%
boundary
did
not
fully
recover
in
Paleocene.
triggered
a
heterogeneous
pattern
of
with
rays
durophagous
reaching
highest
levels
(>72%)
sharks
nondurophagous
being
less
affected.
Taxa
large
geographic
ranges
and/or
those
restricted
to
high-latitude
settings
show
higher
survival.
drastically
altered
evolutionary
history
ecosystems.
Diversity,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
15(3), P. 386 - 386
Published: March 8, 2023
The
Late
Jurassic-Early
Cretaceous
(164-100
Ma)
represents
one
of
the
main
transitional
periods
in
life
history.
Recent
studies
unveiled
a
complex
scenario
which
abiotic
and
biotic
factors
drivers
on
regional
global
scales
due
to
fragmentation
Pangaea
resulted
dramatic
faunal
ecological
turnovers
terrestrial
marine
environments.
However,
chondrichthyan
faunas
from
this
interval
have
received
surprisingly
little
recognition.
presence
numerous
entire
skeletons
chondrichthyans
preserved
several
localities
southern
Germany,
often
referred
as
Konservat-Lagerstätten
(e.g.,
Nusplingen
Solnhofen
Archipelago),
provides
unique
opportunity
study
taxonomic
composition
these
assemblages,
their
distributions
adaptations,
evolutionary
histories
detail.
even
after
160
years
study,
current
knowledge
Germany's
Jurassic
diversity
remains
incomplete.
Over
last
20
years,
systematic
bulk
sampling
deposits
significantly
increased
number
known
fossil
genera
region
(32
present
study).
In
work,
record,
Germany
are
reviewed
compared
with
contemporaneous
assemblages
other
sites
Europe.
Our
results
suggest,
inter
alia,
that
displayed
extended
within
it
nevertheless
also
is
evident
taxonomy
urgent
need
revision.
Evolution,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
78(7), P. 1212 - 1226
Published: April 22, 2024
Abstract
Pinnipeds
(seals,
sea
lions,
walruses,
and
their
fossil
relatives)
are
one
of
the
most
successful
mammalian
clades
to
live
in
oceans.
Despite
a
well-resolved
molecular
phylogeny
global
record,
complete
understanding
macroevolutionary
dynamics
remains
hampered
by
lack
formal
analyses
that
combine
these
2
rich
sources
information.
We
used
meta-analytic
approach
infer
densely
sampled
pinniped
date
(36
recent
93
taxa)
phylogenetic
paleobiological
methods
study
diversification
biogeographic
history.
mostly
diversified
at
constant
rates.
Walruses,
however,
experienced
rapid
turnover
which
extinction
rates
ultimately
exceeded
speciation
from
12
6
Ma,
possibly
due
changing
levels
and/or
competition
with
otariids
(eared
seals).
Historical
analyses,
including
data,
allowed
us
confidently
identify
North
Pacific
Atlantic
(plus
or
minus
Paratethys)
as
ancestral
ranges
Otarioidea
seals
+
walrus)
crown
phocids
(earless
seals),
respectively.
Yet,
despite
novel
addition
stem
pan-pinniped
taxa,
region
origin
for
Pan-Pinnipedia
remained
ambiguous.
These
results
suggest
further
avenues
pinnipeds
provide
framework
investigating
other
groups
substantial
extinct
extant
diversity.
Evolution,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
78(8), P. 1405 - 1425
Published: May 15, 2024
Estimating
how
traits
evolved
and
impacted
diversification
across
the
tree
of
life
represents
a
critical
topic
in
ecology
evolution.
Although
there
has
been
considerable
research
comparative
biology,
large
parts
remain
underexplored.
Sharks
are
an
iconic
clade
marine
vertebrates,
key
components
ecosystems
since
early
Mesozoic.
However,
few
studies
have
addressed
or
whether
they
their
extant
diversity
patterns.
Our
study
aimed
to
fill
this
gap
by
reconstructing
largest
time-calibrated
species-level
phylogeny
sharks
compiling
exhaustive
database
for
ecological
(diet,
habitat)
biological
(reproduction,
maximum
body
length)
traits.
Using
state-of-the-art
models
evolution
diversification,
we
outlined
major
character
shifts
modes
trait
shark
species.
We
found
support
sequential
estimated
small
medium-sized
lecithotrophic
coastal-dwelling
most
recent
common
ancestor
sharks.
our
hidden
analyses
do
not
trait-dependent
any
examined
traits,
challenging
previous
works.
This
suggests
that
role
shaping
sharks'
dynamics
might
previously
overestimated
should
motivate
future
macroevolutionary
investigate
other
drivers
clade.
Current Biology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
34(12), P. 2764 - 2772.e3
Published: June 1, 2024
The
emergence
and
subsequent
evolution
of
pectoral
fins
is
a
key
point
in
vertebrate
evolution,
as
are
dominant
control
surfaces
for
locomotion
extant
fishes.1Coates
M.
paired
fins.Theory
Biosci.
2003;
122:
266-287Crossref
Scopus
(91)
Google
Scholar,2Webb
P.W.
Locomotor
patterns
the
Actinopterygian
fishes.Am.
Zool.
1982;
22:
329-342Crossref
(224)
Scholar,3Fish
F.E.
Lauder
G.V.
Control
aquatic
vertebrates:
active
passive
design
function.J.
Exp.
Biol.
2017;
220:
4351-4363Crossref
PubMed
(58)
Scholar
However,
major
gaps
remain
our
understanding
diversity
among
cartilaginous
fishes
(Chondrichthyes),
group
with
an
evolutionary
history
spanning
over
400
million
years
current
selachians
(modern
sharks)
appearing
about
200
ago.4Compagno
L.J.V.
Alternative
life-history
strategies
time
space.Environ.
Fishes.
1990;
28:
33-75Crossref
(294)
Scholar,5Grogan
E.D.
Lund
R.
Greenfest-Allen
E.
origin
early
relationships
chondrichthyans.in:
Carrier
J.C.
Musick
J.A.
Heithaus
M.R.
Biology
Sharks
Their
Relatives.
Second
Edition.
CRC
Press,
2012:
3-30Crossref
Scholar,6Maisey
J.G.
What
'elasmobranch'?
impact
paleontology
elasmobranch
phylogeny
evolution.J.
Fish.
2012;
80:
918-951Crossref
(0)
Modern
sharks
charismatic
vertebrates
often
thought
to
be
predators
roaming
open
ocean
coastal
areas,
but
most
species
occupy
seafloor.4Compagno
Here
we
use
integrative
approach
understand
what
facilitated
expansion
pelagic
realm
morphological
changes
accompanied
this
shift.
On
basis
comparative
analyses
framework
time-calibrated
molecular
phylogeny,7Stein
R.W.
Mull
C.G.
Kuhn
T.S.
Aschliman
N.C.
Davidson
L.N.K.
Joy
J.B.
Smith
G.J.
Dulvy
N.K.
Mooers
A.O.
Global
priorities
conserving
sharks,
rays
chimaeras.Nat.
Ecol.
Evol.
2018;
2:
288-298Crossref
(185)
show
that
modern
expanded
no
later
than
Early
Cretaceous
(Barremian).
pattern
fin
aspect
ratios
across
congruent
adaptive
identify
increase
subclade
disparity
ratio
at
when
sea
surface
temperatures
were
their
highest.8Scotese
C.R.
Song
H.
Mills
B.J.
van
der
Meer
D.G.
Phanerozoic
paleotemperatures:
earth's
changing
climate
during
last
540
years.Earth
Sci.
Rev.
2021;
215103503Crossref
(271)
habitats
likely
involved
extended
bouts
sustained
fast
swimming,
which
led
selection
efficient
movement
via
higher
fins.
Swimming
performance
was
enhanced
due
elevated
sea,
highlighting
shark
has
been
greatly
impacted
by
change.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
120(33)
Published: Aug. 3, 2023
The
latitudinal
diversity
gradient
(LDG)
describes
the
pattern
of
increasing
numbers
species
from
poles
to
equator.
Although
recognized
for
over
200
years,
mechanisms
responsible
largest-scale
and
longest-known
in
macroecology
are
still
actively
debated.
I
argue
here
that
any
explanation
LDG
must
invoke
differential
rates
speciation,
extinction,
extirpation,
or
dispersal.
These
processes
themselves
may
be
governed
by
numerous
abiotic
biotic
factors.
Hypotheses
claim
not
rates,
such
as
‘age
area’
‘time
diversification’,
eschew
focus
rate
variation
is
assumed
these
explanations.
There
significant
uncertainty
how
dispersal
have
varied
regionally
Earth
history.
However,
better
understand
development
LDGs,
we
need
constrain
this
variation.
Only
then
will
drivers
–
they
nature
become
clearer.
Royal Society Open Science,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
12(4)
Published: April 1, 2025
A
rich
fossil
record
of
teeth
shows
that
many
living
shark
families'
origins
lie
deep
in
the
Mesozoic.
Skeletal
fossils
sharks
to
whom
these
belonged
are
far
rarer
and
when
they
preserved
often
flattened,
hindering
understanding
evolutionary
radiation
groups.
Here
we
use
computed
tomography
describe
two
articulated
Upper
Cretaceous
skeletons
from
Chalk
UK
preserving
three-dimensional
neurocrania,
visceral
cartilages,
pectoral
vertebrae.
These
display
skeletal
anatomies
characteristic
Parascylliidae,
a
family
Orectolobiformes
now
endemic
Australia
Indo
Pacific.
However,
differ
having
more
heavily
mineralized
braincase
tri-basal
fin
endoskeleton,
while
their
can
be
attributed
new
species
problematic
taxon
Pararhincodon.
Phylogenetic
analysis
confirms
Pararhincodon
is
stem-group
parascylliid,
providing
insight
into
evolution
parascylliids'
distinctive
anatomy
during
late
Mesozoic-Cenozoic
shift
orectolobiform
biodiversity
Northern
Atlantic
Meanwhile
both
extant
parascylliids
have
vertebral
morphology
previously
described
only
Carcharhiniformes,
contributing
perspective
picture
emerging
macroevolutionary
analyses
coastal,
small-bodied
for
galeomorphs.