Research » Evolution & Phylogeny » Deep Phylogeny

Deep Phylogeny

The true relationships of animal groups ("Phyla") are still under debate. Although molecular approaches (DNA sequence analyses) have contributed much to increase our understanding, they also have often contradicted and conflicted "classical" phylogenies based on morphological characters. Especially phylogenetic relationships at the base of the metazoan tree are far from being resolved: what is the position of Porifera (sponges)? Are they monophyletic, do they represent a sister-group to the Eumetazoans, or are they paraphyletic (as indicated by several genetic analyses, although not with high statistical support)? What is the position of Placozoa? Are they more ancestral or derived compared to Porifera? What are the implications? What are the phylogenetic relationships within poriferan classes?

All those issues remain highly topical. We are currently applying molecular approaches such as comparative multi-locus DNA sequencing analyses, phylogenomics as well as biomarker analysis and combine those with thorough morphological analyses to contribute to solving these important questions, in collaboration with several national and international partners and initiatives.

Key publications:

Philippe, H., Brinkmann, H., Lavrov, D.V., Littlewood, D.T.J., Manuel, M., Wörheide, G., Baurain, D., 2011. Resolving difficult phylogenetic questions: why more sequences are not enough. PLoS Biology 9, e1000602.

Philippe, H., Derelle, R., Lopez, P., Pick, K., Borchiellini, C., Boury-Esnault, N., Vacelet, J., Renard, E., Houliston, E., Quéinnec, E., Da Silva, C., Wincker, P., Le Guyader, H., Leys, S., Jackson, D.J., Schreiber, F., Erpenbeck, D., Morgenstern, B., Wörheide, G., Manuel, M., 2009. Phylogenomics revives traditional views on deep animal relationships. Current Biology 19, 706–712.

Dohrmann, M., Janussen, D., Reitner, J., Collins, A., Wörheide, G., 2008. Phylogeny and evolution of glass sponges (Porifera: Hexactinellida). Systematic Biology 57 (3), 388–405.