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Evolutionary biology

Early evolution comes full circle

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

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