Four-cluster analysis: a simple method to test phylogenetic hypotheses

Mol Biol Evol. 1995 Jan;12(1):163-7. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.molbev.a040185.

Abstract

A simple statistical test for comparing three alternative phylogenetic hypotheses for four monophyletic groups is presented. This test is based on the minimum-evolution principle, and it does not require any information regarding the branching order within each monophyletic group. It is computationally efficient and can be easily extended to five or more monophyletic groups.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Evolution*
  • Birds / genetics*
  • Cluster Analysis*
  • Computer Simulation
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics
  • Models, Genetic*
  • Models, Statistical
  • Phylogeny*
  • RNA, Ribosomal / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • RNA, Ribosomal
  • RNA, ribosomal, 12S