With improving technology, acquiring DNAsequences from different organisms becomeseasier each year. With that in mind, some authors(e.g., Scotland et al. 2003, Systematic Biology52 [4]: 539–548) have suggested that the use ofmorphological data is less important than DNAsequence data and have called for less emphasison the use of comparative morphology in building phylogenies. Other authors maintain thatdespite the explosion of molecular data available, morphology still has an important role inphylogenetics (for examples, see Wiens 2004,Systematic Biology 53 [4]: 653–661 and Will andRubinoff 2004, Cladistics 20 [1]: 47–55). Whatare the reasons for and against using morphological data in phylogenetic reconstruction?When might morphological data be especiallyimportant?
Evolution
The history and science of origin and evolution comprise two events, the beginning of life and expansion of life. Our earth originated about 4.5 billion years ago. The term evolution is derived from two Latin words and means the act of unfolding or unrolling. English philosopher Herbert Spencer first used it. Evolution is defined as the change in heritable traits of biological populations over successive generations. These traits are the manifestations of genes that are passed down from parent to offspring during reproduction.
Cladistics
Cladistics is a technique in the classification of organisms, where they are grouped into different clades. The proof for the relationships that are hypothesized is based on the shared derived characteristics known as synapomorphies. These characteristics do not exist in many of the distant ancestors and groups. The common ancestor along with its descendants is considered to be a part of the clade. The rate of closeness is directly proportional to the cladistic grouping and is useful in analyzing the evolutionary mechanism.
Outgroups
Outgroups are significant in studying cladistics or phylogenetics (that describe the evolutionary relationship between different organisms). Further, it is also important to understand the differences and similarities between different organisms.
Taxonomy
It is the branch of biology that works with the identification of organisms at first, then naming, and classification of them into phenetic or phylogenetic groups (a classification system). In other words, it is the scientific study of biological diversity and a part of systematic biology.
Phylogenetics
Phylogenetics is the scientific study of how various groups of organisms are related at the evolutionary level. It finds the relationship between various organisms based on their evolutionary similarities and differences. It is a part of the taxonomy. Although the taxonomic study is not only concerned about phylogeny but taxonomic studies are also concerned about the classification and nomenclature of the different individuals from different taxon.
With improving technology, acquiring DNA
sequences from different organisms becomes
easier each year. With that in mind, some authors
(e.g., Scotland et al. 2003, Systematic Biology
52 [4]: 539–548) have suggested that the use of
morphological data is less important than DNA
sequence data and have called for less emphasis
on the use of comparative morphology in building phylogenies. Other authors maintain that
despite the explosion of molecular data available, morphology still has an important role in
phylogenetics (for examples, see Wiens 2004,
Systematic Biology 53 [4]: 653–661 and Will and
Rubinoff 2004, Cladistics 20 [1]: 47–55). What
are the reasons for and against using morphological data in phylogenetic reconstruction?
When might morphological data be especially
important?
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