phylogenetics

In a trio of studies, researchers follow up on a 40-year-old finding that certain bacteriophages replace adenine with so-called diaminopurine, perhaps to avoid host degradation.

A modeling study counters initial interpretations that the cluster began with someone who flew to Seattle in mid-January.

The inner ear cavity proves to be a useful tool for studying the evolutionary relationships among monkeys, apes, and humans.

Researchers analyzed more than 800 species.

Plants, fungi, and bacteria likely contributed to insect diversity.

The first phylogenomic tree of these insects shows their diversification occurred after they split into Old and New World groups.

The blue lagoons of the Cuatro Ciénegas Basin provide a glimpse into the planet’s ancient past.

In plants ranging from liverworts to wheat, parasitic water molds build intracellular structures analogous to the nutrient-exchanging structures of symbiotic fungi.

Researchers identify a new species of Hemimastigophora protist, and suggest the group should be promoted from a phylum to a supra-kingdom.

Researchers are resurrecting proteins from millions of years ago to understand evolution and lay the groundwork for bioengineering custom molecules.

The ancient organisms appear to be more closely related to eukaryotes than previously appreciated.

Identification of new archaea species elucidates the domain’s unique  biology and sheds light on its relationship to eukaryotes.

The discovery of copious new archaeal species is shedding light on the tree of life and revealing some unique cellular biology.

Contrary to some hypotheses, the organelles did not descend from any known lineage of Alphaproteobacteria, researchers find.

The genomes of two species of water bears reveal clues about how they persist in extreme conditions, yet don’t resolve the animals’ debated evolutionary story.

A genomic analysis of “Klosneuviruses” suggests that they evolved from small viruses that accumulated genetic material over time, but not all virologists are convinced. 

An analysis of 74 dinosaur species leads a group of researchers to reorganize the extinct animals’ evolutionary history.

Foamy-like endogenous retroviruses may have emerged more than 450 million years ago, according to an analysis.