Molecular Phylogeny Reconstruction

Abstract Molecular phylogenetics deals with the inference of evolutionary relationships among individuals, populations, species and higher taxonomic entities using molecular data. By modelling patterns of molecular change in protein and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequences over time, scientists now routinely reconstruct evolutionary histories of species and evaluate confidence levels of the inferences. Molecular phylogenetic inferences have been not only supportive of traditional phylogenies, but also instrumental in resolving some difficult questions regarding branching orders within many evolutionary lineages. Because of the vast and growing databases of molecular sequence information, this area promises to be an important key to understanding the history and relationships of all life forms on this planet.