Evidence from 18S ribosomal RNA sequences that lampreys and hagfishes form a natural group

David W. Stock, Gregory S. Whitt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Lampreys and hagfishes (cyclostomes) traditionally were considered to be a natural (monophyletic) group. Recently, the consensus of opinion, based largely on morphological analyses, has shifted to a view that lampreys are more closely related to jawed vertebrates (gnathostomes) than to hagfishes. Phylogenetic comparisons of 18S ribosomal RNA sequences from two hagfishes, two lampreys, a tunicate, a lancelet, and a number of gnathostomes support the monophyly of the cyclostomes. These data force a reassessment of several features of early vertebrate evolution.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)787-789
Number of pages3
JournalScience
Volume257
Issue number5071
DOIs
StatePublished - 1992

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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