Causes and Consequences of Apparent Timescaling Across All Estimated Evolutionary Rates

Evolutionary rates play a central role in connecting micro- and macroevolution. All evolutionary rate estimates, including of molecular evolution, trait lineage diversification, share similar scaling pattern with time: The highest are those measured over the shortest time interval. This creates disconnect between macroevolution, although is opposite what some might expect: Patterns change short timescales predict that evolution has tremendous potential to create variation barely tapped by In this review, we discuss shared across rates. We break down possible explanations for into two categories, estimation error model misspecification, how both apply each type rate. also consequences ubiquitous pattern, which can lead unexpected results when comparing ratesover different timescales. Finally, after addressing purely statistical concerns, explore few possibilities unifying explanation three types from failure fully understand account biological processes scale time.