Data from: Ecological correlates of ghost lineages in ruminants

Integration between phylogenetic systematics and paleontological data has
proved to be an effective method for identifying periods that lack fossil
evidence in the evolutionary history of clades. In this study we aim to
analyze whether there is any correlation between various ecomorphological
variables and the duration of these underrepresented portions of lineages,
which we call ghost lineages for simplicity, in ruminants. Analyses within
phylogenetic (Generalized Estimating Equations) and non-phylogenetic
(ANOVAs and Pearson correlations) frameworks were performed on the whole
phylogeny of this suborder of Cetartiodactyla (Mammalia). This is the
first time ghost lineages are focused in this way. To test the robustness
of our data, we compared the magnitude of ghost lineages among different
continents and among phylogenies pruned at different ages (4, 8, 12, 16,
and 20 Ma). Differences in mean ghost lineage were not significantly
related to either geographic or temporal factors. Our results indicate
that the proportion of the known fossil record in ruminants appears to be
influenced by the preservation potential of the bone remains in different
environments. Furthermore, large geographical ranges of species increase
the likelihood of preservation.