9. Phylogenetic covariance matrix
A B D E F G
A 15 1 0 0 0 0
B 1 15 0 0 0 0
D 0 0 15 14 7 7
E 0 0 14 15 7 7
F 0 0 7 7 15 9
G 0 0 7 7 9 15
(Slide pilfered from Chris Organ)
15. Branch sharing solution
Share time with preceding
Traditional approach first
(non-zero length) branch
τ8
τ7 τ7
τ6 τ6
root age
τ5 τ5
(Ruta et al. 2006; Brusatte et al. 2008)
38. Conclusions
• Novel fossil-only tree dating approach
• Mimics molecular approach (distribution)
• Helps close molecule-fossil gap
39. Conclusions
• Novel fossil-only tree dating approach
• Mimics molecular approach (distribution)
• Helps close molecule-fossil gap
• Implications for a wide range of topics, e.g.:
• Phylogenetic diversity estimates
• Extinction/Survival %s
• Rates of evolution
• Trait models
• Better calibration distributions