Open AccessApplication of molecular clocks in ornithology revisited
Author(s) -
Peterson A. Townsend
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of avian biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.022
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1600-048X
pISSN - 0908-8857
DOI - 10.1111/j.0908-8857.2006.04029.x
Subject(s) - ornithology , molecular clock , biology , systematics , rigour , evolutionary biology , zoology , ecology , epistemology , taxonomy (biology) , phylogenetics , genetics , southern hemisphere , philosophy , gene
Molecular clocks have seen many applications in ornithology, but many applications are uncritical. In this commentary, I point out logical inconsistencies in many uses of clocks in avian molecular systematics. I call for greater rigor in application of molecular clocks – clocks should only be used when clocklike behavior has been tested and confirmed, and when appropriate calibrations are available. Authors and reviewers should insist on such rigor to assure that systematics is indeed scientific, and not just storytelling.