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Variation between groups in evolutionary rates: a statistical test of significance

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 February 2016

David M. Raup  and
Larry G. Marshall
David M. Raup
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Field Museum of Natural History, Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60605
Larry G. Marshall
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Field Museum of Natural History, Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60605
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Abstract

The statistical significance of differences in evolutionary rate between major taxonomic groups is evaluated using conventional chi-square techniques on stratigraphic range data. Romer's (1966) compilation of stratigraphic ranges of fossil mammals is used to determine whether orders differ significantly from each other in generic origination and extinction rates. The evolutionary histories of 2180 genera (primarily Cenozoic in age) are analyzed. Chi-square testing shows that significantly high or low (P ≥ 0.99) extinction or origination occurs in 15% of the testable cases. Significantly high or low evolutionary turnover in a taxon (orders in this case) we term taxotely. Significantly high turnover rate is equivalent to Simpson's tachytely and significantly low turnover is equivalent to his bradytely.

In the mammal data set, taxotely is largely attributable to the influence of South American endemics. Some of the effect is interpreted as an artifact of biases in the fossil record (or its study) and some is attributed to real biological aspects of mammalian evolution.

Type
Articles
Information
Paleobiology , Volume 6 , Issue 1 , Winter 1980 , pp. 9 - 23
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

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References

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