Using branch lengths calculated by maximum likelihood, with a molecular clock enforced, the total time encompassed by the most likely resolution of the tree seen in figure 1 is approximately 5500 MY (estimated by summing the lengths of all the branches and converting to MY).
Alternatively, assuming a slower substitution rate (r2 = 0.21% per lineage per MY) estimated for deep-sea hydrothermal vent annelids [ 14], Osedax would have split from monoliferans about 130 MYA (95% HPD bounds: 104 - 160 Mya).
Wenseleers [ 13] have estimated that the wsp gene in Wolbachia infecting ants evolve at a rate of 0.2% per million years (MY), which is roughly ten times more slowly than the rate of 2% per MY estimated for mtDNA in Drosophila [ 23].
So what if I exceed my estimated two hours?
My accountant wished me well and said not to worry — he'd already deducted his fee and Christmas tip from my estimated taxes.
I logged onto my account anyway, and was able to see my estimated monthly retirement benefit and my last reported earnings information.
