Including RNA secondary structures improves accuracy and robustness in reconstruction of phylogenetic trees.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In several studies, secondary structures of ribosomal genes have been used to improve the quality of phylogenetic reconstructions. An extensive evaluation of the benefits of secondary structure, however, is lacking.

Results

This is the first study to counter this deficiency. We inspected the accuracy and robustness of phylogenetics with individual secondary structures by simulation experiments for artificial tree topologies with up to 18 taxa and for divergency levels in the range of typical phylogenetic studies. We chose the internal transcribed spacer 2 of the ribosomal cistron as an exemplary marker region. Simulation integrated the coevolution process of sequences with secondary structures. Additionally, the phylogenetic power of marker size duplication was in

SUBMITTER: Keller A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2821295 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature