SMITH,, J.V.**; KIMBALL,, R.T.; BRAUN,, E.L.; Univ. of Florida, Gainesville: Resolving the Phylogeny of Paleognathes: A Novel Genomic Approach

The phylogenetic relationship among paleognath birds is an ongoing debate. Traditional classification places ratites (flightless paleognathes such as the ostrich and rhea) sister to the tinamous (flighted paleognathes). Recent molecular data suggest tinamous may nest within the ratites, making the ratites polyphyletic. This is a surprising relationship since it suggests either two independent losses of flight or both a loss and gain of flight occurred within paleognathes. Given the probability of the evolution of flight, multiple losses of flight is more likely. A new molecular approach is being used in attempt to more clearly resolve this relationship. First a genomic library was constructed using sonicated tinamou (Crypturellas soui) DNA. Clones were randomly selected and sequenced for comparison with the chicken (Gallus gallus) genome. Homologous regions between tinamou and chicken were used to design PCR primers. These regions (coding and non-coding) were amplified and sequenced from ostrich (Struthio camelus) and rhea (Rhea americana). Data from all four taxa were aligned to examine the phylogenetic relationships. This technique is designed for targeting specific phylogenetic questions. It has the potential to provide a large amount of data to address specific problematic sets of taxa like tinamous and ratites.