Uneven Missing Data Skew Phylogenomic Relationships within the Lories and Lorikeets.

ABSTRACT: The resolution of the Tree of Life has accelerated with advances in DNA sequencing technology. To achieve dense taxon sampling, it is often necessary to obtain DNA from historical museum specimens to supplement modern genetic samples. However, DNA from historical material is generally degraded, which presents various challenges. In this study, we evaluated how the coverage at variant sites and missing data among historical and modern samples impacts phylogenomic inference. We explored these patterns in the brush-tongued parrots (lories and lorikeets) of Australasia by sampling ultraconserved elements in 105 taxa. Trees estimated with low coverage characters had several clades where relationships appeared to be influenced by whether the sample came from historical or modern specimens, which

SUBMITTER: Smith BT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7486955 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature