Branch length estimation and divergence dating: estimates of error in Bayesian and maximum likelihood frameworks |
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Authors: | Rachel S Schwartz Rachel L Mueller |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, 80523-1878, CO, USA |
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Abstract: | Background Estimates of divergence dates between species improve our understanding of processes ranging from nucleotide substitution
to speciation. Such estimates are frequently based on molecular genetic differences between species; therefore, they rely
on accurate estimates of the number of such differences (i.e. substitutions per site, measured as branch length on phylogenies).
We used simulations to determine the effects of dataset size, branch length heterogeneity, branch depth, and analytical framework
on branch length estimation across a range of branch lengths. We then reanalyzed an empirical dataset for plethodontid salamanders
to determine how inaccurate branch length estimation can affect estimates of divergence dates. |
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