Protocol combining tree-based Maximum Parsimony and web-like Phylogenetic Networks analyses to investigate reticulate human evolution

Abstract

Summary: Our protocol combines Maximum Parsimony and Phylogenetic Networks approaches to understand the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary processes of hominin species that might have shared inheritance from multiple ancestors. By addressing the questions of pattern and process in human phylogeny, the protocol can be used to clarify the taxonomic definition(s) of diverse hominin groups and ascertain whether or not the mode of evolution of genus Homo is reticulate. Using high quality and informative phenotypic data sets is necessary to yield meaningful results.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Caparros and Prat (2021).

Keywords

• Bioinformatics
• Earth sciences
• Evolutionary biology