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Updated: Aug 4, 2025
08:57
Using Phylogenetic Analysis to Investigate Eukaryotic Gene Origin
Published on: August 14, 2018
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[Geometric Approach to Phylogeographic Analysis Molecular Genetic Sequences: Principal Components and Dendrograms].
V M Efimov1,2,3,4,5, K V Efimov6, V Yu Kovaleva2
1Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090 Russia.
Molekuliarnaia Biologiia
|March 31, 2023
Summary
Environmental selection pressures on molecular sequences can be detected even at high taxonomic levels. Analysis of cytochrome b sequences in rodents and lagomorphs revealed correlations with latitude and potential physicochemical drivers.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Molecular evolution
- Bioinformatics
Context:
- Investigating environmental selection in molecular sequences is typically limited to closely related species.
- High taxonomic levels are often considered unpromising for such analyses due to phylogenetic constraints.
Purpose:
- To explore the potential for detecting environmental selection signals in molecular sequences across higher taxonomic levels.
- To apply a novel statistical method for decomposing molecular variability into intra- and inter-taxon components.
Summary:
- Cytochrome b amino acid sequences from 67 rodent and lagomorph species were analyzed using principal component analysis.
- A significant correlation between the second principal component and latitude was identified (r = 0.561).
- The first principal component revealed a distinct grouping unrelated to taxonomy, suggesting underlying physicochemical factors.
Impact:
- Demonstrates the feasibility of identifying environmental selection at broader taxonomic scales.
- Highlights the utility of advanced statistical methods in molecular evolutionary studies.
- Suggests novel avenues for research into the physicochemical basis of molecular evolution and adaptation.
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