Fourteen nuclear genes provide phylogenetic resolution for difficult nodes in the turtle tree of life

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
Anthony J BarleyH Bradley Shaffer

Abstract

Advances in molecular biology have expanded our understanding of patterns of evolution and our ability to infer phylogenetic relationships. Despite many applications of molecular methods in attempts at resolving the evolutionary relationships among the major clades of turtles, some nodes in the tree have proved to be extremely problematic and have remained unresolved. In this study, we use 14 nuclear loci to provide an in depth look at several of these troublesome nodes and infer the systematic relationships among 11 of the 14 turtle families. We find strong support for two of the most problematic nodes in the deep phylogeny of turtles that have traditionally defied resolution. In particular, we recover strong support for a sister relationship between the Emydidae and the monotypic bigheaded-turtle, Platysternon megacephalum. We also find strong support for a clade consisting of sea turtles, mud and musk turtles, and snapping turtles. Within this clade, snapping turtles (Chelydridae) and mud/musk turtles (Kinosternidae) are sister taxa, again with strong support. Our results emphasize the utility of multi-locus datasets in phylogenetic analyses of difficult problems.

References

Aug 29, 2001·Bioinformatics·J P Huelsenbeck, F Ronquist
Sep 10, 2003·Journal of Molecular Evolution·Manuela CervelliPaolo Mariottini
Mar 23, 2004·Nucleic Acids Research·Robert C Edgar
Feb 25, 2005·The American Naturalist·Thomas J NearH Bradley Shaffer
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Sep 2, 2008·Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·Robert C ThomsonH Bradley Shaffer
Dec 17, 2008·Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·Rebecca T KimballTamaki Yuri

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Citations

Dec 18, 2013·Genome Biology·Etienne LoireNicolas Galtier
Jan 25, 2013·BMC Evolutionary Biology·Robert W MeredithMark S Springer
Apr 16, 2013·Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·Phillip Q SpinksH Bradley Shaffer
Jun 1, 2012·Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·Phillip Q SpinksH Bradley Shaffer
Dec 5, 2013·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Anthony J BarleyRafe M Brown
Jan 16, 2015·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part B, Molecular and Developmental Evolution·Kenneth D AngielczykChris R Feldman
Nov 22, 2011·Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·João M LourençoYlenia Chiari
Jul 5, 2013·Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·John B IversonColleen Ingram
Jul 4, 2012·Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·Sebastián DuchenePhillip A Morin
Jul 19, 2011·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Toxicology & Pharmacology : CBP·Emily C MarquezIan P Callard
Dec 3, 2014·Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·Nicholas G CrawfordW Brian Simison
Feb 5, 2011·Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·Edward E Schilling
Aug 30, 2012·Molecular Biology and Evolution·Béatrice RoureHervé Philippe
Nov 8, 2012·Genome Biology and Evolution·Onuralp Soylemez, Fyodor A Kondrashov
May 16, 2017·Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·Anieli G PereiraCarlos G Schrago
Feb 10, 2021·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Robert C ThomsonH Bradley Shaffer
May 23, 2021·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·András LikerRobert P Freckleton

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