TimeTree: a public knowledge-base of divergence times among organisms

TLDR

Biologists routinely need divergence times to calibrate phylogenies, yet published molecular estimates have grown rapidly but remain largely inaccessible due to their complexity. TimeTree aggregates these estimates into a consistent format to maximize their utility. It organizes the data hierarchically according to the tree of life. The database presents summarized results that let users quickly assess the range, robustness, and consensus of time estimates. TimeTree is available at [e-mail].

Abstract

Abstract Summary: Biologists and other scientists routinely need to know times of divergence between species and to construct phylogenies calibrated to time (timetrees). Published studies reporting time estimates from molecular data have been increasing rapidly, but the data have been largely inaccessible to the greater community of scientists because of their complexity. TimeTree brings these data together in a consistent format and uses a hierarchical structure, corresponding to the tree of life, to maximize their utility. Results are presented and summarized, allowing users to quickly determine the range and robustness of time estimates and the degree of consensus from the published literature. Availability: TimeTree is available at Contact: [e-mail]