Problems for taxonomic analysis using intracrystalline amino acids: an example using brachiopods

41 4 Thu, 01/01/1998 - 12:00 August 753 770

WALTON, D. 1998. Problems for taxonomic analysis using intracrystalline amino acids: an example using brachiopods. Palaeontology, 41, 4, 753–770.

Derek Walton Multivariate statistical analysis of the absolute abundance of amino acids extracted from the intracrystalline sites of brachiopods has the potential for constructing a molecular phylogeny. In all cases, separation of the brachiopods was possible to subordinal level and in some cases to subfamilial level. Older samples showed a merging of closely related genera, indicating the loss of specificity caused by the degradation of amino acids. Amino acid data alone are therefore not sufficient for molecular taxonomy in fossils; the degradative pathways should be sought to allow reconstruction of the original amino acid content. The Palaeontological Association (Free Access)