Understanding UCEs: A Comprehensive Primer on UsingUltraconserved Elements for Arthropod Phylogenomics

摘要

Targeted enrichment of ultraconserved elements (UCEs) has emerged as a promising tool for inferring evolutionaryhistory in many taxa, with utility ranging from phylogenetic and biogeographic questions at deeptime scales to population level studies at shallow time scales. However, the methodology can be dauntingfor beginners. Our goal is to introduce UCE phylogenomics to a wider audience by summarizing recent advancesin arthropod research, and to familiarize readers with background theory and steps involved. We defineterminology used in association with the UCE approach, evaluate current laboratory and bioinformaticmethods and limitations, and, finally, provide a roadmap of steps in the UCE pipeline to assist phylogeneticistsin making informed decisions as they employ this powerful tool. By facilitating increased adoption of UCEs inphylogenomics studies that deepen our comprehension of the function of these markers across widely divergenttaxa, we aim to ultimately improve understanding of the arthropod tree of life.