July 2016 PMID 27325836

Mammal madness: is the mammal tree of life not yet resolved?

Nicole M Foley, Mark S Springer, Emma C Teeling

Mentions

32
Peak: 9 in Mar 2021
across 6 sources since Nov 2015

Extended reach

135,689
potential audience

Total likes

1,083

Video views

34,460

Mentions per month

Nov 2015 – Feb 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter12 posts
  • News9 articles
  • YouTube4 videos
  • Blogs4 articles
  • Facebook2 posts
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall tone reflects a keen interest in the complexities of mammal evolution, with posts discussing fossil evidence, genetic relations, and unresolved nodes like the root of placental mammals. Words such as 'complicated,' 'advances,' and references to high-level scientific concepts indicate an engaged and impact-driven discourse, emphasizing both the ongoing debates and recent progress in the field.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions show curiosity and agreement with the idea that unresolved questions in mammal phylogeny remain significant, though some acknowledge the progress made by recent genetic studies.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate high interest by referencing related debates, fossil evidence, and advances in molecular genetics, indicating engagement with complex scientific issues.

EngagementModerate engagement

The conversations include reactions to detailed scientific findings, linking fossil data and molecular studies, showing moderate depth of discussion.

ImpactModerate impact

Participants recognize the importance of ongoing research, with mentions of debates and new discoveries that influence understanding of mammalian evolution, suggesting a notable impact.

Abstract in brief

  • The mammal tree of life is currently divided into four main groups—Laurasiatheria, Euarchontoglires, Xenarthra, and Afrotheria—with their last common ancestor dating back around 90-110 million years.
  • Despite many studies supporting this framework, certain key questions remain unresolved, such as the exact position of the root of the placental mammals and some complex nodes like Laurasiatheria and Paenungulata.
  • The article discusses ongoing debates and reasons for conflicts among recent phylogenetic studies, as well as whether the mammal tree of life can ever be completely resolved.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Prof. Katie Hinde
@Mammals_Suck · X

Advances in molecular genetics have revealed incredibly cool relationships among animal species & solved a lot of questions for Mammalogists... https://t.co/185pGnmgGX #2021MMM

Mar 11, 2021 · 23 likes · 4 shares · 22,828 followers View post →
Jesse Weber
@EvolEmpiricist · X

Fossil data show that Hyaenodonts like Masrasector nananubis are sister to Carnivores (in the clade Pan-carnivora) & molecular data show that this clade is sister to Pholidotamorpha (the pangolins!) diverging ~73 mya. https://t.co/Rsv0zTgUwF #2021MMM https://t.co/CDoM7dhHAa

Mar 17, 2021 · 18 likes · 3 shares · 437 followers View post →
Nick Crumpton no longer posting
@LSmonster · X

@JoshLukeDavis Why is it always so complicated is a v good question... https://t.co/fGNTa5Ubgi

May 23, 2021 · 2 likes · 3,408 followers View post →
March Mammal Madness
@MMMletsgo · X

RT @EvolEmpiricist: Fossil data show that Hyaenodonts like Masrasector nananubis are sister to Carnivores (in the clade Pan-carnivora) & mo…

Mar 17, 2021 · 3 shares · 31,319 followers View post →
March Mammal Madness
@MMMletsgo · X

RT @Mammals_Suck: Advances in molecular genetics have revealed incredibly cool relationships among animal species & solved a lot of questio…

Mar 11, 2021 · 4 shares · 31,319 followers View post →
Ratatosk ⚡️
@Ratatosk4 · X

RT @Mammals_Suck: Advances in molecular genetics have revealed incredibly cool relationships among animal species & solved a lot of questio…

Mar 11, 2021 · 4 shares · 4,368 followers View post →

All mentions

Understanding Bat Evolution and Adaptations

This video discusses the evolution of bats, highlighting key research findings on their adaptations and genetic factors. Special attention is given to studies involving ancient retroposon insertions and the evolutionary…

Jackson Wheat · Jan 15, 2021 2,586 views
Banu_Umayya1
@Banu_Umayya1 · X

(90) AMNH, 2014, Mapping the “Big Bang” of Bird Evolution, American Museum of Natural History, Dec 11, 2014 (91) Foley Nicole M., Springer Mark S. and Teeling Emma C., 2016, Mammal madness: is the mammal tree of life not yet resolved? Phil. Trans. R. Soc., B37120150140

Aug 26, 2024 · 701 followers View post →
Asher Clark
@Abolition__Now · X

@leroyb756 @NotEvolution1 A. This only goes back to as far as the Cretaceous Period. B. https://t.co/JVyGyWuCPD https://t.co/GaYskmz6D9

Oct 22, 2023 · 891 followers View post →
Nick Crumpton no longer posting
@LSmonster · X

@JoshLukeDavis Why is it always so complicated is a v good question... https://t.co/fGNTa5Ubgi

May 23, 2021 · 2 likes · 3,408 followers View post →
Sonia Damanakis
@SDamanakis · X

RT @EvolEmpiricist: Fossil data show that Hyaenodonts like Masrasector nananubis are sister to Carnivores (in the clade Pan-carnivora) & mo…

Mar 17, 2021 · 3 shares · 53 followers View post →
StoneLab_ASU
@StoneLab_ASU · X

RT @EvolEmpiricist: Fossil data show that Hyaenodonts like Masrasector nananubis are sister to Carnivores (in the clade Pan-carnivora) & mo…

Mar 17, 2021 · 3 shares · 2,308 followers View post →
March Mammal Madness
@MMMletsgo · X

RT @EvolEmpiricist: Fossil data show that Hyaenodonts like Masrasector nananubis are sister to Carnivores (in the clade Pan-carnivora) & mo…

Mar 17, 2021 · 3 shares · 31,319 followers View post →
Jesse Weber
@EvolEmpiricist · X

Fossil data show that Hyaenodonts like Masrasector nananubis are sister to Carnivores (in the clade Pan-carnivora) & molecular data show that this clade is sister to Pholidotamorpha (the pangolins!) diverging ~73 mya. https://t.co/Rsv0zTgUwF #2021MMM https://t.co/CDoM7dhHAa

Mar 17, 2021 · 18 likes · 3 shares · 437 followers View post →
Ratatosk ⚡️
@Ratatosk4 · X

RT @Mammals_Suck: Advances in molecular genetics have revealed incredibly cool relationships among animal species & solved a lot of questio…

Mar 11, 2021 · 4 shares · 4,368 followers View post →
sm9eb
@sm9eb · X

RT @Mammals_Suck: Advances in molecular genetics have revealed incredibly cool relationships among animal species & solved a lot of questio…

Mar 11, 2021 · 4 shares · 1,761 followers View post →
MC Marmot
@MC_Marmot · X

RT @Mammals_Suck: Advances in molecular genetics have revealed incredibly cool relationships among animal species & solved a lot of questio…

Mar 11, 2021 · 4 shares · 1,773 followers View post →
March Mammal Madness
@MMMletsgo · X

RT @Mammals_Suck: Advances in molecular genetics have revealed incredibly cool relationships among animal species & solved a lot of questio…

Mar 11, 2021 · 4 shares · 31,319 followers View post →
Prof. Katie Hinde
@Mammals_Suck · X

Advances in molecular genetics have revealed incredibly cool relationships among animal species & solved a lot of questions for Mammalogists... https://t.co/185pGnmgGX #2021MMM

Mar 11, 2021 · 23 likes · 4 shares · 22,828 followers View post →
Francesco Santini
@fsantini2015.bsky.social · Bluesky

#RSdatingspecies, Emma Teeling: Mammal madness: Is the mammal tree of life not resolved yet?

Nov 10, 2015 View post →