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Using Phylogenetic Analysis to Investigate Eukaryotic Gene Origin
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The New Tree of Eukaryotes.

Fabien Burki1, Andrew J Roger2, Matthew W Brown3

  • 1Department of Organismal Biology, Program in Systematic Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|October 14, 2019
PubMed
Summary

The eukaryote Tree of Life (eToL) has been rearranged due to phylogenomics and new discoveries. Current supergroups lack clear characteristics, necessitating further research for a resolved eToL.

Keywords:
phylogenomicsprotistssupergroupstree of eukaryotes

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Area of Science:

  • * Eukaryotic evolutionary biology and phylogenomics.
  • * Protist diversity and classification.

Background:

  • * The eukaryote Tree of Life (eToL) has historically been organized into 5-8 major 'supergroups'.
  • * Significant rearrangements have occurred over the past 15 years, challenging existing classifications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To analyze the impact of phylogenomics and new lineage discoveries on the eToL.
  • * To evaluate the basis of current eukaryotic supergroup classifications.

Main Methods:

  • * Widespread application of phylogenomics.
  • * Integration of newly discovered eukaryotic lineages, primarily heterotrophic protists.
  • * Shift from combined molecular and biological evidence to purely molecular phylogenetics.

Main Results:

  • * The eToL has undergone profound rearrangements, necessitating a re-evaluation of established supergroups.
  • * Most current supergroups lack distinct morphological or cell-biological defining characteristics.
  • * The reliance on purely molecular phylogenetics has increased.

Conclusions:

  • * Current eukaryotic supergroup labels are increasingly arbitrary due to a lack of defining characteristics.
  • * Future resolution of the eToL at deep levels requires combining traditional culturing with advanced culture-free methods and phylogenomics.