Divergence times in the termite genus Macrotermes (Isoptera: Termitidae)

Brandl, Roland; Hyodo, Fujio; Korff-Schmising, M. von; Maekawa, Kazuyuki; Miura, Toru; Takematsu, Yoko; Matsumoto, Tadao; Abe, Takuya; Bagine, Richard K. N.; Kaib, Manfred

doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2007.07.007

Cited by 32 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…The timing of speciation within this latter group (∼8–10 MYA by our analysis) is coincidental with speciation events in some other forest specialists (see e.g. Vrba, 1985; Jansen van Vuuren & Robinson, 2001; Brandl et al ., 2007; Moodley & Bruford, 2007).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 79%

Phylogenetic relationships of elephant‐shrews (Afrotheria, Macroscelididae)

et al. 2011

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Elephant-shrews or sengis (Macroscelidea, Afrotheria) are grouped into two subfamilies, Rhynchocyoninae with a single genus and four species, and Macroscelidinae represented by three genera and 13 species. Our current understanding of the evolutionary relationships within this group is largely based on a molecular phylogeny that suffers from incomplete species representation. We present the first complete phylogeny (with the exception of the recently described East African Rhynchocyon udzungwensis) for Macroscelidea based on mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Novel cytogenetic characters as well as previously described allozyme variation and various morphological features are evaluated and mapped to the molecular topology. Our analyses indicate that Elephantulus is paraphyletic, and that Petrodromus and Macroscelides should be subsumed in Elephantulus. A relaxed Bayesian dating approach supports the hypothesis that an arid-adapted Macroscelidinae lineage dispersed from east Africa at $11.5 MYA via an African arid corridor to south-western Africa. The timing of speciation within the east African Rhynchocyoninae (8-10 MYA) is coincidental with the diversification of some other forest specialists. In turn, divergence within the Macroscelidinae coincides with major aridification events across Africa.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 79%

Phylogenetic relationships of elephant‐shrews (Afrotheria, Macroscelididae)

et al. 2011

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“…These apply not only to fossilized hard parts (e.g., shells, bones, wood), but also to ichnofossils recording biological activity. Ancient feeding tracks (Gomez–Zurita et al, 2007), coprolites (Zhong et al, 2009), and fossilized termite mounds (Brandl et al, 2007) have all been used to date lineages for which body fossils are lacking, and the first appearance of taxon-specific biomarkers has served to constrain the emergence of eukaryotes (Peterson et al, 2008). Amber inclusions, formed when tissue is trapped in fossilized resin, constitute another important source of paleontological constraints, particularly for small and soft-bodied organisms such as insects (Wilson and Pitts, 2010; Kuntner et al, 2013), plants (Feldberg et al, 2013) and fungi (Amo de Paz et al, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beyond fossil calibrations: realities of molecular clock practices in evolutionary biology

2014

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Molecular-based divergence dating methods, or molecular clocks, are the primary neontological tool for estimating the temporal origins of clades. While the appropriate use of vertebrate fossils as external clock calibrations has stimulated heated discussions in the paleontological community, less attention has been given to the quality and implementation of other calibration types. In lieu of appropriate fossils, many studies rely on alternative sources of age constraints based on geological events, substitution rates and heterochronous sampling, as well as dates secondarily derived from previous analyses. To illustrate the breadth and frequency of calibration types currently employed, we conducted a literature survey of over 600 articles published from 2007 to 2013. Over half of all analyses implemented one or more fossil dates as constraints, followed by geological events and secondary calibrations (15% each). Vertebrate taxa were subjects in nearly half of all studies, while invertebrates and plants together accounted for 43%, followed by viruses, protists and fungi (3% each). Current patterns in calibration practices were disproportionate to the number of discussions on their proper use, particularly regarding plants and secondarily derived dates, which are both relatively neglected in methodological evaluations. Based on our survey, we provide a comprehensive overview of the latest approaches in clock calibration, and outline strengths and weaknesses associated with each. This critique should serve as a call to action for researchers across multiple communities, particularly those working on clades for which fossil records are poor, to develop their own guidelines regarding selection and implementation of alternative calibration types. This issue is particularly relevant now, as time-calibrated phylogenies are used for more than dating evolutionary origins, but often serve as the backbone of investigations into biogeography, diversity dynamics and rates of phenotypic evolution.

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“…In the former, mounds are closed, whereas in the latter mounds have conspicuous open ventilation chimneys. Furthermore, cytochrome c oxidase subunit II gene sequences of M. subhyalinus suggest that these groups belong to two different species (Brandl et al 2007). Nevertheless, we have retained the classic nomenclature for consistency with previous publications (Kaib et al 2002(Kaib et al , 2004a but have treated M. subhyalinus from West and East Africa as different species in the present analysis (Table 1).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cuticular Hydrocarbon Phenotypes Do not Indicate Cryptic Species in Fungus-Growing Termites (Isoptera: Macrotermitinae)

2009

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In several termite species, distinct differences in the composition of cuticular hydrocarbons among colonies correspond to high genetic divergence of mitochondrial DNA sequences. These observations suggest that hydrocarbon phenotypes represent cryptic species. Different cuticular hydrocarbon phenotypes also are found among colonies of fungus-growing termites of the genus Macrotermes. To determine if these hydrocarbon differences in Macrotermes also indicate cryptic species, we sequenced the mitochondrial CO I gene from species in West and East Africa. Among individuals of a supposed species but belonging to different cuticular hydrocarbon phenotypes, the genetic distances are much smaller than distances between species. Unlike what has been observed in other termites, Macrotermes hydrocarbon phenotypes do not represent cryptic species. Our findings suggest fundamental differences in the evolution and/or function of cuticular hydrocarbons among different termite lineages.

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Divergence times in the termite genus Macrotermes (Isoptera: Termitidae)

Cited by 32 publications

References 41 publications

Phylogenetic relationships of elephant‐shrews (Afrotheria, Macroscelididae)

Phylogenetic relationships of elephant‐shrews (Afrotheria, Macroscelididae)

Beyond fossil calibrations: realities of molecular clock practices in evolutionary biology

Cuticular Hydrocarbon Phenotypes Do not Indicate Cryptic Species in Fungus-Growing Termites (Isoptera: Macrotermitinae)

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