Universal scaling in the branching of the Tree of Life

TL;DR

This study reveals universal allometric scaling laws governing the branching patterns of the Tree of Life, indicating consistent evolutionary processes across different biological scales.

Contribution

It uncovers conserved allometric rules in phylogenetic trees that significantly differ from null models, suggesting universal evolutionary forces shape diversification.

Findings

Branching patterns follow allometric scaling laws.

Universal patterns are conserved across different taxonomic levels.

Patterns significantly depart from null model expectations.

Abstract

Understanding the patterns and processes of diversification of life in the planet is a key challenge of science. The Tree of Life represents such diversification processes through the evolutionary relationships among the different taxa, and can be extended down to intra-specific relationships. Here we examine the topological properties of a large set of interspecific and intraspecific phylogenies and show that the branching patterns follow allometric rules conserved across the different levels in the Tree of Life, all significantly departing from those expected from the standard null models. The finding of non-random universal patterns of phylogenetic differentiation suggests that similar evolutionary forces drive diversification across the broad range of scales, from macro-evolutionary to micro-evolutionary processes, shaping the diversity of life on the planet.