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Related Concept Videos

Phylogeny01:23

Phylogeny

Phylogeny is concerned with the evolutionary diversification of organisms or groups of organisms. A group of organisms with a name is called a taxon (singular). Taxa (plural) can span different levels of the evolutionary hierarchy. For instance, the group containing all birds is a taxon (comprising the class Aves), and the group of all species of daisies (the genus Bellis) is a taxon. Phylogenies can likewise include just one genus (i.e., depict species relationships) or span an entire...
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Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons

Genome comparison is one of the excellent ways to interpret the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The basic principle of genome comparison is that if two species share a common feature, it is likely encoded by the DNA sequence conserved between both species. The advent of genome sequencing technologies in the late 20th century enabled scientists to understand the concept of conservation of domains between species and helped them to deduce evolutionary relationships across diverse...
Convergent Evolution01:54

Convergent Evolution

Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.The structures that arise from convergent evolution are called analogous structures. They are similar in function even if they are dissimilar in structure. Further, structures can be analogous while also...
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Eukaryotic Evolution

The endosymbiont theory is the most widely accepted theory of eukaryotic evolution; however, its progression is still somewhat debated. According to the nucleus-first hypothesis, the ancestral prokaryote first evolved a membrane to enclose DNA and form the nucleus. Conversely, the mitochondria-first hypothesis suggests that the nucleus was formed after endosymbiosis of mitochondria.
Contrary to the endosymbiont theory, the eukaryote-first hypothesis proposes that the simpler prokaryotic and...
Understanding Species and Reproductive Barriers01:17

Understanding Species and Reproductive Barriers

A species is a group of organisms that interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Typically, individuals of the same species appear similar and share common characteristics due to their highly similar genomes. However, not all organisms that look alike are members of the same species. Various mechanisms keep most species discrete. While some mechanisms prevent reproductive behavior and fertilization (pre-zygotic isolation), others prevent the production of fertile offspring after mating has...
The Fossil Record02:56

The Fossil Record

The fossil record documents only a small fraction of all organisms that have ever inhabited Earth. Fossilization is a rare process, and most organisms never become fossils. Moreover, the fossil record only exhibits fossils that have been discovered. Nevertheless, sedimentary rock fossils of long-lived, abundant, hard-bodied organisms dominate the fossil record. These fossils offer valuable information, such as an organism's physical form, behavior, and age. Studying the fossil record helps...

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Three-dimensional Rendering and Analysis of Immunolabeled, Clarified Human Placental Villous Vascular Networks
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The new framework for understanding placental mammal evolution.

Robert J Asher1, Nigel Bennett, Thomas Lehmann

  • 1Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing St., Cambridge CB23EJ, UK. r.asher@zoo.cam.ac.uk

Bioessays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
|July 8, 2009
PubMed
Summary

A new hypothesis on placental mammal common descent shows remarkable stability across major groups like afrotheres and xenarthrans. This phylogenetic framework allows new research into mammal evolution and diversification.

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Area of Science:

  • Mammalian Phylogenetics
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Recent advances have led to a highly stable hypothesis for placental mammal phylogeny.
  • The four major extant groups are Afrotheria, Xenarthra, Laurasiathera, and Euarchontoglires.
  • Previous hypotheses lacked stability and resolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present the current, stable hypothesis of placental mammal phylogeny.
  • To identify areas of remaining uncertainty within the placental mammal tree.
  • To highlight the utility of the new phylogenetic framework for future research.

Main Methods:

  • Phylogenetic analysis of molecular and morphological data (details not specified in abstract).
  • Comparative analysis with previous phylogenetic hypotheses.
  • Identification of stable clades and areas of persistent uncertainty.

Main Results:

  • A robust phylogenetic tree for placental mammals has been established, with four main clades: Afrotheria, Xenarthra, Laurasiathera, and Euarchontoglires.
  • Specific uncertainties remain regarding the root position and the placement of certain taxa (e.g., bats, sea cows, aardvarks, dermopterans).
  • The new framework facilitates novel hypotheses, such as a developmental dichotomy between southern and northern mammal radiations.

Conclusions:

  • The current hypothesis of placental mammal phylogeny is remarkably stable.
  • Further research is needed to resolve remaining phylogenetic uncertainties.
  • The established phylogenetic framework is crucial for advancing our understanding of mammalian evolution and development.