分子系統学とヒトの起源

概要

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A maximum likelihood method for inferring phylogenetic trees from DNA sequence data is reviewd. Estimation of the variance of the maximum log likelihood of a given tree is important for evaluating to what extent the tree with the highest value of the maximum likelihood among the alternative trees is a significantly good candidate for the true tree. The method is applied to mitochondrial DNA data from Hominoidea. The analysis strongly links humans with the African apes and excludes orangutans as an outgroup.<BR>It is suggested that the evolutionary rate of the η-globin pseudogene decreased in Hominoidea compared to Cercopithecoidea. A molecular clock, which takes into account of the decrease of the rate, is calibrated by setting the date of divergence between Catarrhini and Platyrrhini at 30 million years ago. The clock gives date of 5-7 million years ago for the separation of man from chimpanzee.
日本生物物理学会の論文