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The rapidly changing landscape of insect phylogenetics
1Department of Integrative Biology, 3029 Cordley Hall, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
Current Opinion in Insect Science
|December 13, 2016
Summary
Innovations in genomics, phenomics, and informatics are revolutionizing insect phylogenetics. These advancements promise a future where the insect Tree of Life can be confidently mapped, despite ongoing challenges.
Area of Science:
- Zoology
- Bioinformatics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Insect phylogenetics is undergoing significant transformation.
- Genomics, phenomics, and informatics are key drivers of this change.
- Progress is also noted in field science, museum collections, and analytical tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the impact of innovations on insect phylogenetics.
- To highlight the potential of new methods for understanding insect evolutionary history.
- To explore the future of insect evolutionary studies.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent advancements in genomics and phenomics.
- Discussion of digital databases, analytical pipelines, and scientific culture.
- Synthesis of diverse methodological and cultural changes.
Main Results:
- Numerous innovations are reshaping insect phylogenetics.
- These innovations offer potential for confident inference of insect evolutionary relationships.
- A 'phylocognisant age' for insects is becoming an imaginable future.
Conclusions:
- Synthesized innovations can illuminate insect clades and their composition.
- Challenges remain, but progress in genomics, phenomics, and informatics is substantial.
- The future of insect evolutionary studies is promising due to these advancements.
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