BBSRC Portfolio Analyser
Award details
The rate of molecular evolution during adaptive radiations: implications for the molecular clock
Reference
G18782
Principal Investigator / Supervisor
Professor Adam Eyre-Walker
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Institution
University of Sussex
Department
Biology and Environmental Science
Funding type
Research
Value (£)
143,580
Status
Completed
Type
Research Grant
Start date
13/10/2003
End date
12/10/2006
Duration
36 months
Abstract
A molecular clock can be used to date the origin of species assuming a constant rate of DNA change. But the reliability of molecular clocks has been questioned, due to the discrepancy between molecular dates and fossil evidence for major radiations, leading to claims that rapid evolutionary diversification speeds molecular evolution. This program provides an empirical test of these claims, by comparing rates of molecular evolution in a broad range of genes and organisms, testing the effect of body size, rapid morphological change, speciation rate or ecological divergence on DNA substitution rates. The results will test the reliability of molecular clocks and aid development of methods that allow variation in rate of molecular evolution.
Summary
unavailable
Committee
Closed Committee - Genes & Developmental Biology (GDB)
Research Topics
X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority
X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative
X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme
X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme
I accept the
terms and conditions of use
(opens in new window)
export PDF file
back to list
new search