Whole-genome analyses resolve early branches in the tree of life of modern birds.
Abstract
To better determine the history of modern birds, we performed a genome-scale phylogenetic
analysis of 48 species representing all orders of Neoaves using phylogenomic methods
created to handle genome-scale data. We recovered a highly resolved tree that confirms
previously controversial sister or close relationships. We identified the first divergence
in Neoaves, two groups we named Passerea and Columbea, representing independent lineages
of diverse and convergently evolved land and water bird species. Among Passerea, we
infer the common ancestor of core landbirds to have been an apex predator and confirm
independent gains of vocal learning. Among Columbea, we identify pigeons and flamingoes
as belonging to sister clades. Even with whole genomes, some of the earliest branches
in Neoaves proved challenging to resolve, which was best explained by massive protein-coding
sequence convergence and high levels of incomplete lineage sorting that occurred during
a rapid radiation after the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction event about 66 million
years ago.
Type
Journal articleSubject
AnimalsAvian Proteins
Base Sequence
Biological Evolution
Birds
DNA Transposable Elements
Genes
Genetic Speciation
Genome
INDEL Mutation
Introns
Phylogeny
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/11237Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1126/science.1253451Publication Info
Jarvis, Erich D; Mirarab, Siavash; Aberer, Andre J; Li, Bo; Houde, Peter; Li, Cai;
... Zhang, Guojie (2014). Whole-genome analyses resolve early branches in the tree of life of modern birds.
Science, 346(6215). pp. 1320-1331. 10.1126/science.1253451. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/11237.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
Collections
More Info
Show full item recordScholars@Duke
Erich David Jarvis
Adjunct Professor in the Dept. of Neurobiology
Dr. Jarvis' laboratory studies the neurobiology of vocal communication. Emphasis is
placed on the molecular pathways involved in the perception and production of learned
vocalizations. They use an integrative approach that combines behavioral, anatomical,
electrophysiological and molecular biological techniques. The main animal model used
is songbirds, one of the few vertebrate groups that evolved the ability to learn vocalizations.
The generality of the discoveries is tested in other vocal

Articles written by Duke faculty are made available through the campus open access policy. For more information see: Duke Open Access Policy
Rights for Collection: Scholarly Articles
Works are deposited here by their authors, and represent their research and opinions, not that of Duke University. Some materials and descriptions may include offensive content. More info