Bird evolution: testing the Metaves clade with six new mitochondrial genomes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Evolutionary biologists are often misled by convergence of morphology and this has been common in the study of bird evolution. However, the use of molecular data sets have their own problems and phylogenies based on short DNA sequences have the potential to mislead us too. The relationships among clades and timing of the evolution of modern birds (Neoaves) has not yet been well resolved. Evidence of convergence of morphology remain controversial. With six new bird mitochondrial genomes (hummingbird, swift, kagu, rail, flamingo and grebe) we test the proposed Metaves/Coronaves division within Neoaves and the parallel radiations in this primary avian clade.

Results

Our mitochondrial trees did not return the Metaves clade that had been proposed based on one nuclear i

SUBMITTER: Morgan-Richards M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2259304 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature