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Evolutionary biology

Early evolution comes full circle

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Biologists use phylogenetic trees to depict the history of life. But according to a new and roundabout view, such trees are not the best way to summarize life's deepest evolutionary relationships.

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Figure 1: Who's who among microbes.
Figure 2: Four schemes of natural order in the microbial world.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. the Institut für Botanik III, Heinrich-Heine Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany

    William Martin

  2. the School of Biology, The Devonshire Building, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK

    T. Martin Embley

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  1. William Martin
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  2. T. Martin Embley
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Martin, W., Embley, T. Early evolution comes full circle. Nature 431, 134–137 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/431134a

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