Ultraconserved Elements Anchor Thousands of Genetic Markers Spanning Multiple Evolutionary Timescales

• DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/sys004
• Publication Date: 2012-01-10T05:45:00Z
• Authors: Brant C. Faircloth; John E. McCormack; Nicholas G. Crawford; Michael G. Harvey; Robb T. Brumfield; Travis C. Glenn
• Keywords: Massive parallel sequencing

Although massively parallel sequencing has facilitated large-scale DNA sequencing, comparisons among distantly related species rely upon small portions of the genome that are easily aligned. Methods needed to efficiently obtain comparable fragments prior particularly for biologists working with non-model organisms. We introduce a new class molecular marker, anchored by ultraconserved genomic elements (UCEs), universally enable target enrichment and thousands orthologous loci across separated hundreds millions years evolution. Our analyses here focus on use UCE markers in Amniota because UCEs phylogenetic relationships well-known some amniotes. perform an silico experiment demonstrate sequence flanking 2030 contains information sufficient unambiguous recovery established primate phylogeny. extend this performing vitro 2386 UCE-anchored from nine, avian species. then alignments 854 these unambiguously recover evolutionary within three ancient bird lineages. Because many organismal lineages have UCEs, type genetic marker analytical framework we outline can be applied tree life, potentially reshaping our understanding phylogeny at taxonomic levels.