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Molecular Phylogenetics: Concepts for a Newcomer

  • Mahidol University

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Molecular phylogenetics is the study of evolutionary relationships among organisms using molecular sequence data. The aim of this review is to introduce the important terminology and general concepts of tree reconstruction to biologists who lack a strong background in the field of molecular evolution. Some modern phylogenetic programs are easy to use because of their user-friendly interfaces, but understanding the phylogenetic algorithms and substitution models, which are based on advanced statistics, is still important for the analysis and interpretation without a guide. Briefly, there are five general steps in carrying out a phylogenetic analysis: (1) sequence data preparation, (2) sequence alignment, (3) choosing a phylogenetic reconstruction method, (4) identification of the best tree, and (5) evaluating the tree. Concepts in this review enable biologists to grasp the basic ideas behind phylogenetic analysis and also help provide a sound basis for discussions with expert phylogeneticists.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages185-196
Number of pages12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameAdvances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology
Volume160
ISSN (Print)0724-6145

Keywords

  • Evolutionary trees
  • Molecular phylogenetics
  • Phylogenetic analysis
  • Phylogenetic markers
  • Phylogeny

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