Abstract
Bridging the Gap between Theory and Ecology in Evolutionary Models
Highlights
The history of life is filled with examples of one species diverging into several, even thousands, each with unique traits geared to the demands of its ecological niche
They introduce a method to minimize those limitations by using a diagnostic tool that can detect evolutionary patterns that deviate from the standard models
The complexity of evolutionary processes and spottiness of the fossil record calls for statistical models— whose accuracy depends on their assumptions—to infer historical patterns of evolution
Summary
The history of life is filled with examples of one species diverging into several, even thousands, each with unique traits geared to the demands of its ecological niche. The authors first used simulated data to provide statistical confidence levels for their two tests and showed that the power of each test to detect non-Brownian evolution depended on the model of speciation as well as the extent of correlation between traits They applied the tests to published data on the phylogeny and feeding habits of two warblers, both classic cases of adaptive radiation. The authors emphasize the diagnostic nature of these tests and the need for developing more-refined techniques to detect deviations from Brownian evolution Their results underscore the importance of incorporating ecological processes into comparative models, to provide a more realistic and detailed account of the historical pressures and mechanisms driving the diversification of life.
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