Corrected placement of Mus-Rattus fossil calibration forces precision in the molecular tree of rodents.

摘要: Time calibration derived from the fossil record is essential for molecular phylogenetic and evolutionary studies. Fossil mice rats, discovered in Siwalik Group of Pakistan, have served as one best-known points phylogenic Although these fossils been widely used 12 Ma date Mus/Rattus split or a more basal split, conclusive paleontological evidence nodal assignments has absent. This study analyzes newly recognized characters that demonstrate lineage separation murines examines most reasonable placement diverging lineages tree by ancestral state reconstruction. Our specimen-based approach strongly indicates Karnimata clade are members Arvicanthini-Otomyini-Millardini clade, which excludes Rattus its relatives. Combining new interpretation with accepted hypothesis Progonomys includes Mus, event represents Mus/Arvicanthis split. test analysis on Bayesian age estimates shows this point provides accurate murine divergence than previous applications. Thus, we define refine two other fossil-based dating.