DNA hybridization as a guide to phylogeny: Relations of the Hominoidea
Abstract
A widely cited study by Sibley & Ahlquist (1984, 1987) used DNA hybridization and denaturation (or melting) to study hominoid phylogeny, and concluded that humans and chimpanzees are more closely related than chimpanzees and gorillas. We herein illustrate the primary nature of such DNA hybridization data, and discuss methodological limitations and possible sources of error in the technique. We then analyze a subset of the Sibley-Ahlquist data. These data, which have not been previously made public, do not establish a human-chimpanzee clade with the gorilla as a sister group. From our calculations, it appears that the specific experimental results were subjected to analytical procedures which have been inadequately described. We conclude that the Sibley-Ahlquist study does not provide documentation or controls adequate to establish a secure linkage between Pan and Homo to the exclusion of Gorilla.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Human Evolution
- Pub Date:
- January 1988
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0047-2484(88)90065-6
- Bibcode:
- 1988JHumE..17..769M
- Keywords:
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- DNA hybridization;
- genetics;
- molecular evolution;
- Hominoidea;
- phylogeny