Explore how scientists investigate evolutionary relationships among organisms, species, and genes. Through molecular evidence, comparative biology, and phylogenetic inference, discover the ancestral connections that shape the diversity of life.
Explore the Scientific DisciplinesThe biological science of reconstructing evolutionary relationships and investigating shared ancestry.
Phylogenetics examines relationships among biological lineages using heritable characteristics and molecular evidence. By comparing homologous DNA, RNA, or protein sequences, scientists infer hypotheses about common ancestry and evolutionary divergence.
A phylogenetic tree illustrates branching relationships. Its internal nodes represent inferred ancestors, while its tips represent sampled organisms, populations, genes, or sequences. Tree topology describes the pattern of ancestry.
Phylogenetic hypotheses are evaluated using scientific methods and should be interpreted in light of sequence quality, evolutionary models, sampling, and statistical uncertainty.
The evolutionary relationship connecting biological lineages through shared ancestors.
Evolutionary groupings defined by shared ancestry and patterns of branching relationships.
The reconstruction of evolutionary relationships from biological evidence.
The degree of support and uncertainty associated with inferred relationships.
Explore the molecular mechanisms, evolutionary processes, and genomic patterns that help explain biological diversity.
Investigate how DNA, RNA and protein sequences change over evolutionary time. Explore mutation, sequence conservation, molecular clocks, natural selection and patterns of molecular divergence.
Explore Molecular EvolutionUnderstand how natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, gene flow, adaptation and speciation shape living populations and contribute to the remarkable diversity of organisms on Earth.
Explore Evolutionary BiologyExplore genome similarities and differences among organisms. Study conserved DNA sequences, orthologous genes, gene families, genome rearrangements, and the evolutionary origins of biological characteristics.
Explore Comparative GenomicsPhylogenetic analysis connects biological sequence evidence with statistical methods to formulate and evaluate evolutionary hypotheses.
Identify suitable homologous genes, proteins, or other biological characters for evolutionary comparison.
Align homologous positions and evaluate whether the data are suitable for phylogenetic inference.
Apply appropriate evolutionary models and inference methods to estimate branching relationships.
Evaluate support, inspect alternative explanations and interpret results within their biological context.
Evolutionary relationships provide important context for biological research, biotechnology, ecology and the study of biodiversity.
Investigate evolutionary diversity, lineage relationships and population history to inform biodiversity research and conservation priorities.
Analyze pathogen sequence variation and relatedness to study evolutionary patterns and support research into the circulation of infectious agents.
Compare homologous genes and protein families to investigate evolutionary conservation, gene duplication, and possible functional relationships.
Use evolutionary comparisons to inform research involving model organisms, biological pathways, genomic variation and molecular characterization.
Continue exploring how molecular changes, evolutionary mechanisms, and comparative genomic evidence contribute to our understanding of common ancestry and the history of biological diversity.