13. 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)
37. Conclusions
• Novel fossil-only tree dating approach
• Mimics molecular approach
• 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