Determining the precise timing for the evolutionary origin of groups of organisms has become increasingly important as scientists from diverse disciplines attempt to examine rates of anatomical or molecular evolution and correlate intrinsic biological events to extrinsic environmental events. Molecular clock analyses indicate that many major groups are twice as old, or more, than a literal reading of the fossil record attests, implying that the fossil record is incomplete. Few paleontologists agree that the fossil record is inadequate, arguing instead that our understanding of the molecular clock is far from ideal. Telling the Evolutionary Time: Molecular Clocks and the Fossil Record represents a discussion between molecular biologists and paleontologists, in which they investigate the significance of competing sources of data, explain the nature of molecular clocks and the fossil record, and strive to develop compromise models that incorporate contradictory opinions. These are presented as a series of case studies dealing with many of the most important groups of complex organisms, such as protists, land plants, flowering plants, complex animals, chordates, vertebrates, tetrapods, and modern birds. Bringing fresh insight and various perspectives to a complicated argument, this book assembles all sides of the debate into one comprehensive text. It is a significant volume for research scientists and advanced students across the field of evolutionary biology.

Donoghue and Smith, both lecturers in paleobiology at the University of Birmingham, UK, present papers from a September 2001 meeting held at Imperial College, London, which brought together paleontologists and molecular biologists to address the disparity between molecular and paleontological perspectives on evolutionary time. In addition to examining the theoretical aspects behind the limitations of the two methods, the book provides a series of case studies that cover the origin of major groups ranging from protists to land plants, flowering plants, complex animals, chordates, vertebrates, tetrapods, and modern birds. The book will be of interest to research scientists and advanced students across the field of evolutionary biology.
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This book presents a discussion between molecular biologists and paleontologists, in which they investigate the significance of competing sources of data, explain the nature of molecular clocks and the fossil record, and attempt to develop compromise models that incorporate conflicting opinions. These are presented as a series of case studies dealing with many of the most important groups of complex organisms. Research scientists and advanced undergraduates across the field of evolutionary biology will find Telling Evolutionary Time: Molecular Clocks and Fossil Record a stimulating volume, bringing new insight and perspective to a thorny debate.

This text represents a discussion between molecular biologists and palaeontologists in which they investigate the significance of competing sources of data, explain the nature of molecular clocks and the fossil record, and develop compromise models that incorporate conflicting opinions.