Evolutionary change and phylogenetic relationships in light of horizontal gene transfer

Luis Boto

doi:10.1007/s12038-015-9514-8

Evolutionary change and phylogenetic relationships in light of horizontal gene transfer

J Biosci. 2015 Jun;40(2):465-72. doi: 10.1007/s12038-015-9514-8.

Author

Luis Boto¹

Affiliation

¹ Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biologia Evolutiva, Museo Nacional Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, C/ Jose Gutierrez Abascal 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain, mcnb119@mncn.csic.es.

PMID: 25963270
DOI: 10.1007/s12038-015-9514-8

Abstract

Horizontal gene transfer has, over the past 25 years, become a part of evolutionary thinking. In the present paper I discuss horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in relation to contingency, natural selection, evolutionary change speed and the Tree-of-Life endeavour, with the aim of contributing to the understanding of the role of HGT in evolutionary processes. In addition, the challenges that HGT imposes on the current view of evolution are emphasized.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Biological Evolution*
Eukaryotic Cells / cytology*
Evolution, Molecular*
Gene Transfer, Horizontal / genetics*
Phylogeny
Prokaryotic Cells / cytology*
Selection, Genetic / genetics