A Phylogenomic Study of Birds Reveals Their Evolutionary History

TLDR

Deep avian evolutionary relationships have been difficult to resolve as a result of a putative explosive radiation. The study aimed to reconstruct avian evolutionary relationships by analyzing ∼32 kb of nuclear DNA from 19 loci across 169 species. The authors used multiple analytical methods on this genome‑wide data to recover a robust phylogeny. The analysis revealed novel interordinal relationships such as a passerine–parrot sister pair, confirmed contentious groupings like flamingos and grebes, challenged existing classifications, suggested that some diurnal birds descended from nocturnal ancestors, and offers a valuable resource for future phylogenetic and comparative research.

Abstract

Deep avian evolutionary relationships have been difficult to resolve as a result of a putative explosive radiation. Our study examined ∼32 kilobases of aligned nuclear DNA sequences from 19 independent loci for 169 species, representing all major extant groups, and recovered a robust phylogeny from a genome-wide signal supported by multiple analytical methods. We documented well-supported, previously unrecognized interordinal relationships (such as a sister relationship between passerines and parrots) and corroborated previously contentious groupings (such as flamingos and grebes). Our conclusions challenge current classifications and alter our understanding of trait evolution; for example, some diurnal birds evolved from nocturnal ancestors. Our results provide a valuable resource for phylogenetic and comparative studies in birds.