The broader implication extends beyond flowering plants. Many famous "rocks vs. clocks" debates may not require choosing sides. The challenge is finding better ways to let fossils and molecules speak to each other. Link to our latest: www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Integrated analysis of fossils and molecular divergence time estimates a latest Jurassic origin of angiosperms - Nature Plants

Using extensive fossil occurrence data and Bayesian Brownian Bridge modelling, this study derives data-driven calibration densities for molecular clocks and suggests a Late Jurassic origin of flowerin...

nature.com

Ruolin WU@ruolinwu.bsky.social · 2mo ago

The Jurassic Gap shrinks dramatically. Rather than fossils and molecular clocks being in fundamental conflict, they may have been talking past each other. When fossil evidence is incorporated more comprehensively, the two records tell a much more consistent story of flowering plant evolution.

The Jurassic Gap shrinks dramatically. Rather than fossils and molecular clocks being in fundamental conflict, they may have been talking past each other. When fossil evidence is incorporated more comprehensively, the two records tell a much more consistent story of flowering plant evolution.

Ruolin WU@ruolinwu.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Instead of relying on a handful of fossil calibrations, we analysed >25,000 fossil occurrences across flowering plant history and used them to inform molecular dating analyses. The result surprised us. Our analyses place the origin of crown-group angiosperms at ~151–153 million years ago.

Instead of relying on a handful of fossil calibrations, we analysed >25,000 fossil occurrences across flowering plant history and used them to inform molecular dating analyses. The result surprised us. Our analyses place the origin of crown-group angiosperms at ~151–153 million years ago.

Ruolin WU@ruolinwu.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Did flowering plants really spend 100 million years hiding from the fossil record? For decades, fossils and molecular clocks seemed to tell completely different stories. This became known as the "Jurassic Gap". What if the problem wasn't the fossil record?

Did flowering plants really spend 100 million years hiding from the fossil record? For decades, fossils and molecular clocks seemed to tell completely different stories. This became known as the "Jurassic Gap". What if the problem wasn't the fossil record?

Dobby is free, Dobby has no master; Ruolin is free, Ruolin has not only a mater but also a PhD degree! 🤣

Philip Donoghue@phil-donoghue.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Congrats to @ruolinwu.bsky.social who is now officially Dr Wu! @bristolpalaeo.bsky.social