Undersampling Taxa Will Underestimate Molecular Divergence Dates: An Example from the South American Lizard Clade Liolaemini
Table 7
Squamate fossils and dates in millions of years (mya) used as calibration points.
Date (MYA)
Fossil taxon
Node assigned age
Reference
218–144
Stem age of Iguania (maximum–minimum)
This age range was chosen to include the estimated divergence dates from several recent analyses of squamate and iguanian relationships. See arguments made by authors in associated references
Approximate midpoint stratigraphic age of Pliocene (1.8–3.6) placed at common ancestor of taxa referred to as members of Sceloporus undulatus clade and their sister group