HACKETT, S. J., *, KIMBAL, R. T., REDDY, S., BOWIE, R. C. K., BRAUN, E. L., BRAUN, M. J., CHOJNOWSKI, J. L., COX, W. A., HAN, K.-L., HARSHMAN, J., HUDDLESTON, C. J., MARKS, B. D-, MIGLIA, K. J., MOORE, W. S., SHELDON, F. H., STEADMAN, D. W., WITT, C. C. & YURI, T. (2008)
A Phylogenomic Study of Birds Reveals Their Evolutionary History.
Science 320 (5884): 1763-1768 (27. Juni 2008). DOI: 10.1126/science.1157704
Abstract:
Deep avian evolutionary relationships have been difficult to resolve as a result of a putative explosive radiation. Our study examined ∼32 kilobases of aligned nuclear DNA sequences from 19 independent loci for 169 species, representing all major extant groups, and recovered a robust phylogeny from a genome-wide signal supported by multiple analytical methods. We documented well-supported, previously unrecognized interordinal relationships (such as a sister relationship between passerines and parrots) and corroborated previously contentious groupings (such as flamingos and grebes). Our conclusions challenge current classifications and alter our understanding of trait evolution; for example, some diurnal birds evolved from nocturnal ancestors. Our results provide a valuable resource for phylogenetic and comparative studies in birds.
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