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Evolutionary biology

Relativity for molecular clocks

An analysis of genetic data sets from primates and birds provides firm evidence that molecular evolution is faster on shorter than on longer timescales. The estimated times of various evolutionary events require a rethink.

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Figure 1: The J-shaped rate curve and the multiscale problem.

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Penny, D. Relativity for molecular clocks. Nature 436, 183–184 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/436183a

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