Next-generation sequencing sheds light on bird phylogeny

Portion of the massive phylogeny presented in the paper

A paper published in this week's edition of Nature presents a new phylogeny of Neoaves (most extant birds), based on next-generation sequencing. Using 198 modern birds, the analyses reveal five main sister groups within Neoaves. Some of the groupings contradict findings by another research group who analyzed the genome of 48 bird species and published in Science last year.

The authors claim their results support the paleontological record for these species.