Bayesian estimation of multiple clade competition from fossil data

Author(s)

Silvestro, Daniele ; Pires, Mathias M. ; Quental, Tiago B. ; Salamin, Nicolas

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY RESEARCH; v. 18, n. 1-2, p. 41-59, JAN-MAR 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

Background: The diversification dynamics of clades is governed by speciation and extinction processes and is likely affected by multiple biotic, abiotic, and stochastic factors. Using quantitative methods to analyse fossil occurrence data, one may infer rates of speciation and extinction in a Bayesian framework. Moreover, Silvestro et al. (2015a) recently developed a Multiple Clade Diversity Dependence birth-death model (MCDD) to determine whether diversification dynamics can be explained by positive or negative effects of interactions within or between co-existing clades. However, the power and accuracy of this model and its general applicability have yet to be thoroughly investigated. Aims: Explore the properties of the existing MCDD implementation, which is based on Bayesian variable selection. Introduce an alternative parameterization based on the Horseshoe prior and show the properties of this approach for Bayesian shrinkage in complex models. Test the ability of the model to correctly identify within and between diversification interference under a suite of different diversification scenarios. Methods: Use simulations to assess and compare the power and accuracy of the two algorithms. Results: Diversity dependence within and between clades can be inferred with confidence in a wide range of scenarios using the MCDD model. The two implementations provide comparable results, but the new Horseshoe prior estimator appears to be more reliable, albeit slightly more conservative. The MCDD model is a powerful framework to analyse the putative effects of ecological interactions on macroevolutionary dynamics using fossil data and provides a sound statistical basis for future method developments. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/04072-3 - The role of extinction and speciation rates, and the effect of different levels of biological organization on the origin and maintenance of biodiversity
• Grantee: Tiago Bosisio Quental
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/22016-6 - The role of immigration on diversification dynamics of North American mammals
• Grantee: Mathias Mistretta Pires
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral