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Vertebrates are part of the phylum Chordata, itself part of a three-phylum group known as the deuterostomes. Despite extensive phylogenetic analysis of the deuterostome animals, several unresolved relationships remain. These include the relationship between the three deuterostome phyla (chordates, echinoderms and hemichordates), and the monophyletic or paraphyletic origin of the cyclostomes (hagfish and lampreys). Using robust Bayesian statistical analysis of 18S ribosomal DNA, mitochondrial genes and nuclear protein-coding DNA, we find strong support for a hemichordate-echinoderm clade, and for monophyly of the cyclostomes.

Original publication

DOI

10.2108/zsj.19.593

Type

Journal article

Journal

Zoolog Sci

Publication Date

05/2002

Volume

19

Pages

593 - 599

Keywords

Animals, Bayes Theorem, DNA, Mitochondrial, DNA, Ribosomal, Evolution, Molecular, Invertebrates, Nuclear Proteins, Phylogeny, RNA, Ribosomal, 18S, Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid, Vertebrates