Lerner et al. 2011. Multilocus resolution of phylogeny and timescale in the exta

Question

Lerner et al. 2011. Multilocus resolution of phylogeny and timescale in the extant adaptive radiation of Hawaiian Fleischer et al. 2008. Convergent evolution of Hawaiian and Australo-Pacific Honeyeaters from distant songbird ancestors (please use the outline and questions below to guide your in- class discussion and to help you organize the topics for the 2 page "reaction paper" that examines and compares these two studies) 1) Both papers used modern genetic techniques to re-examine long-established hypotheses for evolutionary relationships Hawalian oird taxa. Please Summanze the ationale that previous researchers used to place the Honeyeaters and Honeycreepers in their respective groups 2) Related to question1) What is convergent evolution and what role does it play in each of these papers? 3) Please provide a non-technical overview of the methods in each paper. How were they similar and how were they different? 4) Please elaborate on the most interesting or surprising finding of each paper 5) For Lerner et al., use the tree in Figure 2 to describe the location and timing of the branching of three major morphological lineages of Honeycreeper ancestors 6) Explain how Palila, Nihoa Finch, and Laysan Finch are morphologically most similar to Rosefinch, yet are considered a recent divergence. 7) Are the three extant Creepers close relatives of each other? 8) The extinction of any bird species is a notable loss, but the recent extinctions of Kauai O'o (early 1980's) and Poo' uli (mid 2000's) were particularly important losses to avian phylogenetic diversity. Please explain.

Explanation / Answer

Ans 1) According to both these papers, there are many evolutionary angles that put both the species into different classes. The Hawaiian honeyeaters are extinct now and to understand their phylogeny, toe pad samples were taken from museum specimen. Some of the evolutionary methods that was used to place both in their respective classes are DNA methods where DNA was isolated from the toe pads of both Hawaiian Honeyeater and Honeycreeper. The phylogenetic analysis was also carried out that involved sequencing the RAG-1 sequences from both the birds. Dating analysis was also carried out for both the birds which helped in identifying the fact that both the birds fell in different class.

Ans 2) The convergent evolution means the evolution of similar traits even in taxa or species that are distantly related due to different types of common selective pressures. On making a comparison it was found that there is morphological, ecological and behavioural similarities present between the birds.

Ans 3) The non-technical method that was discussed in both is the phylogeny. It means through understanding the phylogeny of both the species there was a similarity or convergent evolution drawn between both the species. However, they are placed in different taxa as well due to difference.

Ans 4) The most important and interesting finding in both the papers are the convergent evolution. It means that despite belong to different taxa, they both are similar due to various factors.

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