Geomolecular dating with biologically relaxed clocks, and mammal evolution

该项目旨在利用DNA、化石和生物线索协同模拟进化速率的变化。分子年代测定允许直接比较整个生命树的进化和生态模式和过程。然而，目前的模型很难确定生物钟上分子钟速率变化的位置和幅度，往往导致非常不准确的日期。预期的成果包括提高测年的准确性，以及一个新的形态数据统计框架，这使得化石能够更准确地融入生命树。反过来，该项目旨在解决关于有袋类和胎盘类哺乳动物起源的激烈争论，并追踪这两个群体对过去环境变化的反应。

This project aims to use DNA, fossils and biological cues to synergistically model evolutionary rate changes. Molecular dates allow direct comparison of evolutionary and ecological patterns and processes across the tree of life. However, current models struggle to identify the location and magnitude of molecular clock rate changes on phylogenies, often resulting in wildly inaccurate dates. Expected outcomes include improved dating accuracy, and a novel statistical framework for morphological data, which allows fossils to be more accurately merged into the tree of life. In turn, the project aims to resolve intense debate on the origins of marsupial and placental mammals, and to trace the responses of these two groups to past environmental changes.