Matrix representation in reconstructing phylogenetic relationships among the eukaryotes.

ABSTRACT

The application of the method of matrix representation (MRP) addresses several problems associated with reconstructing phylogenetic relationships among composite organisms such as the eukaryotes. By allowing multiple molecular-sequence and non-molecular data sets to be combined into a single, relatively compact matrix for joint analysis, MRP addresses problems associated with the depth, diversification and specialization of eukaryotic lineages. Characters whose distributions may have been affected by endosymbiotic lateral transfer can be identified by compatibility analysis of MRP-generated hybrid matrices. In conjunction with variant-filtering techniques, MRP can be used to map patterns of lateral transfer in a given phylogenetic tree. These applications are illustrated with molecular-sequence and non-molecular data sets for eukaryotes.