α-Crystallin Sequences Support a Galliform/Anseriform Clade

Molecular Evolution of Three Avian Neurotrophin Genes: Implications for Proregion Functional Constraints

“…2 also received consistently high support across reconstructions employing different subsets of the NT-3 and BDNF sequences and across different reconstruction techniques (Table 1). Topological features receiving universally high support included (1) the placement of the chicken/duck ''galloanseriform'' lineage basal to the remaining Neognathae, a relationship consistent with studies based on other molecular markers (e.g., Sibley and Ahlquist 1990;Caspers et al 1997;Groth and Barrowclough 1999;Mindell et al 1999;van Tuinen et al 2000); (2) the monophyly of the four passerine taxa; and (3) the sister relationships of the bulbul/sunbird and the manikin/flycatcher within the passerine clade. The only region of the tree receiving consistently weak support involved the relationships among the four neognath lineages represented by the kestrel, kingfisher, hummingbird, and passerines.…”

Basal Divergences in Birds and the Phylogenetic Utility of the Nuclear RAG-1 Gene

“…According to the RAG-1 data, paleognathous birds are the sister group of other extant birds, and neognaths are deeply divided into two clades. The paleognath-neognath division has long been recognized on morphological grounds (e.g., Pycraft, 1900) as the primary division in extant birds, and support for a galliform-anseriform clade has been growing (e.g., Ho et al, 1976;Cracraft, 1981;Sibley et al, 1988;Caspers et al, 1997;Livezey, 1997;however, see Ericson [1996] for an alternative view). Thus, our results are not startling (e.g., Sheldon and Bledsoe, 1993), but are the first with robust indicators of nodal support.…”

Nuclear and Mitochondrial Genes Contain Similar Phylogenetic Signal for Pigeons and Doves (Aves: Columbiformes)

“…In contrast, nuclear genes have been used much less extensively (Caspers et al, 1994(Caspers et al, , 1997Prychitko and Moore, 1997). Prychitko and Moore (1997) found that nuclear and mitochondrial genes recovered identical phylogenies for a group of five woodpecker species (Aves: Picidae).…”