Large, majestic trees are iconic symbols of great age among living organisms. Published
evidence suggests that trees do not die because of genetically programmed senescence in …

Conifers have evolved different chemical and anatomical defences against a wide range of
antagonists. Resin ducts produce, store and translocate oleoresin, a complex terpenoid …

Competition among species and entire clades can impact species diversification and
extinction, which can shape macroevolutionary patterns. The fossil record shows successive …

The state-dependent speciation and extinction (SSE) models have recently been criticized
due to their high rates of “false positive” results. Many researchers have advocated avoiding …

Hydraulic properties control plant responses to climate and are likely to be under strong
selective pressure, but their macro‐evolutionary history remains poorly characterised. To fill …

The giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) of California are massive, long-lived trees
that grow along the US Sierra Nevada mountains. Genomic data are limited in giant sequoia …

Evolutionary radiation, a pivotal aspect of macroevolution, offers valuable insights into
evolutionary processes. The genus Pinus is the largest genus in conifers with c. 90% of the …

Recent progress in beetle palaeontology has incited us to re‐address the evolutionary
history of the group. The Permian† Tshekardocoleidae had elytra that covered the posterior …

The fossil record of the origins of major groups such as animals and birds has generated
considerable controversy, especially when it conflicts with timings based on molecular clock …

After the merger of the former Taxodiaceae and Cupressaceae ss, currently the conifer
family Cupressaceae (sensu lato) comprises seven subfamilies and 32 genera, most of …