Thesis
Comparative phylogenetic approaches to macroevolution: methods, models, and marine fishes
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2009
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/100155
Abstract
Chapter 1: We used simulations to show that overdispersed non-random sampling substantially increases type-I error of the MCCR test. We develop two corrected MCCR tests (the POS and OSO tests) that alleviate some of this bias and behave well under the non-random sampling schemes investigated. We apply these new tests to a reinvestigation of the temporal patterns of diversification in the SE Asian radiation of homalopsid snakes. We find support for an early-burst of cladogenesis under the POS test, though not the OSO. Uncertainty in the degree of overdispersion when sampling may make it difficult to assess which correction is most appropriate, but if researchers have some knowledge of the sampling scheme used (i.e. that at least the bottom-most n nodes were sampled) one can fine-tune these approaches to better mimic the empirical sampling scheme. Chapter 2: We present the most comprehensive investigation of temporal patterns of diversification to date for the marine radiation of Sebastes rockfishes. We find strong support for an early period of rapid cladogenesis and provide the first model-based evidence for densitydependent diversification in Sebastes, consistent with the idea of rockfish as an ancient adaptive radiation (Johns and Avise, 1998). Furthermore we provide the first comparative phylogenetic evidence for clade-specific rates of diversification within the genus. Lastly, our KMRI test and two-rate model-fitting identify the late Miocene as a period of exceptional diversification, lending support to species diversification in Sebastes being linked with levels of nearshore marine productivity.
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Details
- Title
- Comparative phylogenetic approaches to macroevolution
- Creators
- Chad Daniel Brock
- Contributors
- Michael E. Alfaro (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Biological Sciences, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900524808901842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis