Patterns and Rates of Evolution in Two Lineages of Lower Devonian Conodonts

9814354 Roopnarine和Murphy详细的地层取样，全面的形态分析，和基于分形的非周期性时间序列的分析将结合起来，详细研究模式和速度的两个下泥盆统牙形石属，Icriodus和Ozarkodina，在北美西部的微演化。一种基于随机游动的新的分析方法将被应用于表征单个分类群的层位系列，以定义不同的微进化模式。将通过将进化速率的分布与各种模式相关联来检验进化速率与模式之间的关系。最后，将通过比较样本内协变模式与时间模式来构建字符进化模型。技术，最大限度地提高信息量，可以从stratophenetic系列，将使我们能够最终编译一个数据库的微进化模式和速率的范围广泛的类群。

9814354Roopnarine and MurphyDetailed stratigraphic sampling, comprehensive morphometric analysis, and fractal-based analysis of non-periodic time series will be combined to examine in detail the patterns and rates of microevolution of two Lower Devonian conodont genera, Icriodus and Ozarkodina, in Western North America. A new method of analysis based on random walks will be applied to character stratophenetic series of individual taxa to define different modes of microevolution. The relationship between evolutionary rate and mode will be examined by relating distributions of evolutionary rates to various modes. Finally, a model of character evolution will be constructed by comparing patterns of within-sample covariation to temporal patterns. Techniques, which maximize the quantity of information that can be derived from stratophenetic series, will enable us to eventually compile a database of microevolutionary patterns and rates for a broad range of taxa.