Turnip Time Travels: Age Estimates in Brassicaceae.
TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016;
21:554-561. [PMID:
26917156 DOI:
10.1016/j.tplants.2016.01.024]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Revised: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2016] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Results of research in life sciences acquire a deeper meaning if they can also be discussed in temporal contexts of evolution. Despite the importance of the mustard family (Brassicaceae) as a prominent angiosperm model family, a robust, generally accepted hypothesis for a family-wide temporal framework does not yet exist. The main cause for this situation is a poor fossil record of the family. We suggest that the few known fossils require a critical re-evaluation of phylogenetic and temporal assignments as a prerequisite for appropriate molecular dating analyses within the family. In addition, (palaeo)biogeographical calibrations, not explored so far in the family, should be integrated in a synthesis of various dating approaches, with each contributing their specific possibilities and limitations.
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