Phylogenomic analysis reveals bees and wasps (Hymenoptera) at the base of the radiation of Holometabolous insects.

TitlePhylogenomic analysis reveals bees and wasps (Hymenoptera) at the base of the radiation of Holometabolous insects.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2006
AuthorsSavard, J, Tautz, D, Richards, S, Weinstock, GM, Gibbs, RA, Werren, JH, Tettelin, H, Lercher, MJ
JournalGenome Res
Volume16
Issue11
Pagination1334-8
Date Published2006 Nov
ISSN1088-9051
KeywordsAnimals, Bees, Biological Evolution, Genome, Insect, Genomics, Insect Proteins, Insecta, Models, Genetic, Phylogeny, Proteomics, Species Specificity, Wasps
Abstract

Comparative studies require knowledge of the evolutionary relationships between taxa. However, neither morphological nor paleontological data have been able to unequivocally resolve the major groups of holometabolous insects so far. Here, we utilize emerging genome projects to assemble and analyze a data set of 185 nuclear genes, resulting in a fully resolved phylogeny of the major insect model species. Contrary to the most widely accepted phylogenetic hypothesis, bees and wasps (Hymenoptera) are basal to the other major holometabolous orders, beetles (Coleoptera), moths (Lepidoptera), and flies (Diptera). We validate our results by meticulous examination of potential confounding factors. Phylogenomic approaches are thus able to resolve long-standing questions about the phylogeny of insects.

DOI10.1101/gr.5204306
Alternate JournalGenome Res
PubMed ID17065606
PubMed Central IDPMC1626634

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