Assessing the information content of fossilizable data, with a focus on the Asian origin and diversification of Glires (Mammalia)

My thesis explores how the information content of fossil Glires (rodents + rabbits) effects phylogenetic reconstruction and the implications for downstream analysis and interpretation. The first two chapters take a detailed look at the phylogenetic signal contained within fossil Glires, while the third and fourth chapters put interpretation of fossils into practice through analyses of phylogeny, biogeographic history, anatomy and geometric morphometrics. In the final chapter, I discuss the importance of my biogeographic, anatomical and phylogenetic results within the context of Glires evolution. I also recommend the inclusion of fossil data in total-evidence approaches where possible and give suggestions for future work.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Cambridge

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Rankin, Aime Hall

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Asher, Robert

• Glires
• Phylogenetics
• Evolution
• Fossil
• Biogeography
• Rodentia
• Protrogomorphy
• Sciuromorphy
• Ultraconserved elements
• Total-evidence analysis
• Tibetan Plateau

Licence

• https://apollo8-f-pro.lib.cam.ac.uk/bitstreams/2acf1162-b1b2-4f0c-9867-c552280fd8c7/download
• https://www.rioxx.net/licenses/all-rights-reserved/

Language dc:language

eng

DOI dc:identifier.doi

https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.73563

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.repository.cam.ac.uk:1810/326105