The molecular clock is a powerful technique used in systematics and biogeography to estimate evolutionary timescales. Because the clock varies in different clades, it should be locally tuned using calibration points. In the case of animals characterised by a rich fossil records, the clock can be calibrated using paleontological data: this procedure was successful in the last two decades in estimating the timing of key macro-evolutionary events such as the origin of major Metazoa body plans or their colonisation of lands. For recent radiations, the clock can be calibrated using mutation rates and ancient DNA: this approach generally requires whole genome data and has the potential of revealing not only the timing of speciation, but also hybridisation and adaptive events as exemplified by various examples in Insecta and Mammalia. The clock can also be used to study the microbiota of animals: using complete genomes and ancient DNA it is now possible to reconstruct for example the origin of the Wolbachia infection in Ecdysozoa or the evolution of gut microbiota in primates. Overall, the molecular clock is a powerful and versatile technique for exploring the diversity of animals and tracing the timing of their evolution.

Rota Stabelli, O. (2019). The molecular clock: a powerful tool to study the evolution of animals and their microbiota. In: De Matthaeis, E.; Di Giulio, A.; Zapparoli, M. (a cura di) 80. Congresso nazionale UZI (Unione Zoologica Italiana), Roma, 23-26 settembre 2019: 76. ISBN: 9788883442445. handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10449/58329

The molecular clock: a powerful tool to study the evolution of animals and their microbiota

Rota Stabelli, O.
2019-01-01

Abstract

The molecular clock is a powerful technique used in systematics and biogeography to estimate evolutionary timescales. Because the clock varies in different clades, it should be locally tuned using calibration points. In the case of animals characterised by a rich fossil records, the clock can be calibrated using paleontological data: this procedure was successful in the last two decades in estimating the timing of key macro-evolutionary events such as the origin of major Metazoa body plans or their colonisation of lands. For recent radiations, the clock can be calibrated using mutation rates and ancient DNA: this approach generally requires whole genome data and has the potential of revealing not only the timing of speciation, but also hybridisation and adaptive events as exemplified by various examples in Insecta and Mammalia. The clock can also be used to study the microbiota of animals: using complete genomes and ancient DNA it is now possible to reconstruct for example the origin of the Wolbachia infection in Ecdysozoa or the evolution of gut microbiota in primates. Overall, the molecular clock is a powerful and versatile technique for exploring the diversity of animals and tracing the timing of their evolution.
9788883442445
2019
Rota Stabelli, O. (2019). The molecular clock: a powerful tool to study the evolution of animals and their microbiota. In: De Matthaeis, E.; Di Giulio, A.; Zapparoli, M. (a cura di) 80. Congresso nazionale UZI (Unione Zoologica Italiana), Roma, 23-26 settembre 2019: 76. ISBN: 9788883442445. handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10449/58329
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
uzi2019_book-of-abstracts.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Versione editoriale (Publisher’s layout)
Licenza: Tutti i diritti riservati (All rights reserved)
Dimensione 1.1 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.1 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10449/58329
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact