Phylogenetics and the integration of paleontology within the life sciences

Christopher A Brochu; Colin D Sumrall

doi:10.1017/S1089332600001686

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Journal article

Phylogenetics and the integration of paleontology within the life sciences

Christopher A Brochu and Colin D Sumrall

The Paleontological Society papers, Vol.14, pp.185-204

Geological Society of America annual meeting; Paleontological Society short course

10/2008

DOI: 10.1017/S1089332600001686

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Abstract

Paleontologists rely on information from modern organisms to understand fossils, but fossils can in turn be used to more completely understand the living. This is facilitated when the fossil record is understood from a phylogenetic context. Phylogenetic analyses allow the identification of robust calibration points for molecular dating analyses, and in the absence of phylogeny, "conflicts" between fossils and molecules may arise that are based not on the data, but on methodology or taxonomic philosophy. More importantly, phylogenetic analyses using fossils can overturn evolutionary scenarios based solely on living taxa, and they can direct researchers in more appropriate directions. This is necessary if paleontology is to be fully integrated with both the Earth and life sciences.

Anapsida

Aves

biologic evolution

biology

Chordata

Echinodermata

fossil record

General paleontology

homology

Invertebrata

molecular clocks

Osteichthyes

paleontology

phylogeny

Pisces

Reptilia

taxonomy

Testudines

Tetrapoda

Vertebrata

Details

Title: Subtitle: Phylogenetics and the integration of paleontology within the life sciences
Creators: Christopher A Brochu - University of Iowa, Department of Geoscience Iowa City, IA USA United States
Colin D Sumrall - University of Tennessee USA United States
Contributors: Patricia H Kelley (Editor) - University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Department of Geography and Geology Wilmington, NC USA United States
Richard K Bambach (Editor) - Smithsonian Institution
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: The Paleontological Society papers, Vol.14, pp.185-204
Conference: Geological Society of America annual meeting; Paleontological Society short course
Publisher: Paleontological Society
DOI: 10.1017/S1089332600001686
ISSN: 1089-3326
eISSN: 2399-7575
Alternative title: From evolution to geobiology; research questions driving paleontology at the start of a new century
Language: English
Date published: 10/2008
Academic Unit: University College Courses; Earth and Environmental Sciences
Record Identifier: 9984240901602771

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