Using Supernetworks to Identify Hybridization in Evolution
Author Information
Author(s): Barbara R. Holland, Steffi Benthin, Peter J. Lockhart, Vincent Moulton, Katharina T. Huber
Primary Institution: Massey University
Hypothesis
Can supernetwork methods effectively distinguish between gene tree incongruence due to hybridization and that due to incomplete lineage-sorting?
Conclusion
Filtered supernetworks can effectively identify hybridization events in phylogenies, especially with the aid of modern genome sequencing technologies.
Supporting Evidence
- Filtered supernetworks can distinguish between hybridization and incomplete lineage-sorting.
- The choice of filtering method is more critical than the choice of supernetwork method.
- Count-based filtering was found to be the most effective technique.
Takeaway
This study shows that special methods can help scientists tell if different gene trees are due to hybridization or just random changes over time.
Methodology
The study used coalescent simulations to test supernetwork methods for distinguishing between hybridization and incomplete lineage-sorting.
Limitations
The effectiveness of the methods decreases with many missing taxa and incongruence in gene trees.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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