MSC03 2020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131
Physical Location:
CERIA Building
Room 204
Phone: (505) 277-1358
Fax: (505) 277-1351
cookjose@unm.edu
This module was developed as a semester long activity for a 200-level evolution and ecology course. Activities can be done without completing the semester-long timeline. All necessary instructions, presentations, and data are attached at the bottom of the page.
Phylogenetics is the study of evolutionary relationships. There are many tools and different types of data that can be used to reconstruct evolutionary relationships. Historically, phylogenies (trees) were created using morphological characters. Today many phylogenies are generated using genetic sequences from multiple loci. This project is meant to teach you about the Tree of Life, phylogenetic trees, and some of the tools used to study biodiversity. You will have two labs that introduce you to the techniques for building a phylogenetic tree and then how you use a phylogeny to ask and answer questions in biology. In pairs or groups of 3, you will work together to reconstruct a phylogeny for a portion of the Tree of Life. You will then use what you have learned about phylogenies, evolution, and comparative phylogenetics to address a biological question about that portion of the tree. You will present your results in the form of a poster later in the semester, so that you will gain an appreciation for the entire experience of scientific discovery (from asking a question all the way to finding and presenting the answer).
Learn about scientific process
Gain appreciation for evolutionary connections across the Tree of Life
Interpret a phylogeny
Learn how phylogenetic trees are constructed
Introduce the different ways to study evolutionary relationships
Learn how comparative phylogenetics is used to understand the biology of organisms
Hypothesis testing
Database mining
Phylogeny construction
Internet access
Poster making materials
Lab 1: Introduce the semester project and assign background readings for phylogeny-building
Assigned readings and tutorials:
Lab 2: Discussion of phylogeny readings and tutorials. Phylogeny-building lab (Module I)
Lab 6: Comparative phylogenetics lab (Module II), receive taxonomic assignments for project.
Lab 7: Turn in the topics and questions to be addressed with the phylogeny
Lab 8: Turn in draft outline of poster
Lab 10: Turn in final draft of poster, print.
Lab 11: Present posters