Earliest Phylogenetic Branchings: Comparing rRNA-based Evolutionary Trees Inferred with Various Techniques

Comparisons of macromolecular sequences offer the greatest potential for inferring phylogenetic relationships spanning the diversity of extant life (Zuckerkandl and Pauling 1965). In addition, molecular comparisons promise to provide insights into the character of the most recent common ancestor of present-day species and the evolution of various metabolic abilities.