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Molecular evidence for deep Precambrian divergences among metazoan phyla

Publication ,  Journal Article
Wray, GA; Levinton, JS; Shapiro, LH
Published in: Science
January 1, 1996

A literal reading of the fossil record suggests that the animal phyla diverged in an 'explosion' near the beginning of the Cambrian period. Calibrated rates of molecular sequence divergence were used to test this hypothesis. Seven independent data sets suggest that invertebrates diverged from chordates about a billion years ago, about twice as long ago as the Cambrian. Protostomes apparently diverged from chordates well before echinoderms, which suggests a prolonged radiation of animal phyla. These conclusions apply specifically to divergence times among phyla; the morphological features that characterize modern animal body plans, such as skeletons and coelams, may have evolved later.

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Published In

Science

DOI

ISSN

0036-8075

Publication Date

January 1, 1996

Volume

274

Issue

5287

Start / End Page

568 / 581

Related Subject Headings

  • General Science & Technology
 

Citation

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Wray, G. A., Levinton, J. S., & Shapiro, L. H. (1996). Molecular evidence for deep Precambrian divergences among metazoan phyla. Science, 274(5287), 568–581. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.274.5287.568
Wray, G. A., J. S. Levinton, and L. H. Shapiro. “Molecular evidence for deep Precambrian divergences among metazoan phyla.” Science 274, no. 5287 (January 1, 1996): 568–81. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.274.5287.568.
Wray GA, Levinton JS, Shapiro LH. Molecular evidence for deep Precambrian divergences among metazoan phyla. Science. 1996 Jan 1;274(5287):568–81.
Wray, G. A., et al. “Molecular evidence for deep Precambrian divergences among metazoan phyla.” Science, vol. 274, no. 5287, Jan. 1996, pp. 568–81. Scopus, doi:10.1126/science.274.5287.568.
Wray GA, Levinton JS, Shapiro LH. Molecular evidence for deep Precambrian divergences among metazoan phyla. Science. 1996 Jan 1;274(5287):568–581.
Journal cover image

Published In

Science

DOI

ISSN

0036-8075

Publication Date

January 1, 1996

Volume

274

Issue

5287

Start / End Page

568 / 581

Related Subject Headings

  • General Science & Technology