Journal: Molecular Biology and Evolution
Year: 2022
Citations: 877
DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac174

Abstract

We present the fifth edition of the TimeTree of Life resource (TToL5), a product of the timetree of life project that aims to synthesize published molecular timetrees and make evolutionary knowledge easily accessible to all. Using the TToL5 web portal, users can retrieve published studies and divergence times between species, the timeline of a species’ evolution beginning with the origin of life, and the timetree for a given evolutionary group at the desired taxonomic rank. TToL5 contains divergence time information on 137,306 species, 41% more than the previous edition. The TToL5 web interface is now Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant and mobile-friendly, a result of comprehensive source code refactoring. TToL5 also offers programmatic access to species divergence times and timelines through an application programming interface, which is accessible at timetree.temple.edu/api. TToL5 is publicly available at timetree.org.

Summary

This landmark bioinformatics research presents the fifth edition of the TimeTree of Life resource, representing one of the most comprehensive databases of species divergence times ever assembled. The database contains information on 137,306 species, marking a remarkable 41% increase from the previous edition and reflecting the exponential growth in molecular phylogenetic research and computational methods for estimating evolutionary timelines. The resource synthesizes thousands of published molecular timetrees, making complex evolutionary knowledge accessible to researchers worldwide through an intuitive web interface that spans from the origin of life to present day.

The technical achievements extend beyond mere data compilation, with comprehensive source code refactoring ensuring the platform meets modern accessibility standards, including Americans with Disabilities Act compliance and mobile-friendly design. This commitment to inclusive access reflects a broader understanding that scientific resources must serve diverse global communities. The implementation of a robust application programming interface enables programmatic access to the data, facilitating integration with other research tools and automated analyses, which significantly enhances the resource’s utility for large-scale comparative studies.

The scientific impact of this resource spans multiple disciplines including evolutionary biology, ecology, conservation biology, and comparative genomics. By providing easy access to species divergence times and evolutionary timelines, the database serves as a foundational tool for researchers examining everything from biodiversity patterns to conservation priorities. The ability to retrieve timetrees for specific evolutionary groups at desired taxonomic ranks makes this resource invaluable for both specialized research applications and educational purposes, supporting the advancement of evolutionary science on a global scale.

Main Takeaways

• Comprehensive Evolutionary Database: The resource contains divergence time information for 137,306 species, representing a 41% increase from the previous edition and one of the most comprehensive evolutionary databases ever created.

• Data Synthesis Excellence: The project successfully synthesizes thousands of published molecular timetrees, transforming scattered research into a unified, searchable knowledge base spanning from the origin of life to present day.

• Accessibility and Inclusion: The platform features Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, mobile-friendly design, and intuitive interfaces, ensuring broad accessibility for diverse global research communities.

• Technical Innovation: Comprehensive source code refactoring and robust API implementation enable both user-friendly web access and programmatic integration for large-scale analyses.

• Multidisciplinary Research Tool: The database serves as a critical resource for multiple disciplines including evolutionary biology, ecology, conservation biology, and comparative genomics.

• Educational Impact: The resource supports both specialized research and educational applications, advancing evolutionary science understanding globally through free, accessible data.