Cited by 379Genomics and Phylogenetic StudiesEvolution and Genetic DynamicsPhilosophy of Biology and Scientific Explanation

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Horizontal gene transfer in evolution: facts and challenges

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Boto, Luis·2010·Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

DOI 10.1098/rspb.2009.1679PMC PMC2842723

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Abstract

The contribution of horizontal gene transfer to evolution has been controversial since it was suggested to be a force driving evolution in the microbial world. In this paper, I review the current standpoint on horizontal gene transfer in evolutionary thinking and discuss how important horizontal gene transfer is in evolution in the broad sense, and particularly in prokaryotic evolution. I review recent literature, asking, first, which processes are involved in the evolutionary success of transferred genes and, secondly, about the extent of horizontal gene transfer towards different evolutionary times. Moreover, I discuss the feasibility of reconstructing ancient phylogenetic relationships in the face of horizontal gene transfer. Finally, I discuss how horizontal gene transfer fits in the current neo-Darwinian evolutionary paradigm and conclude there is a need for a new evolutionary paradigm that includes horizontal gene transfer as well as other mechanisms in the explanation of evolution.

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“olution as discussed in the target paper. Indeed in prokaryotes this kind of non-Darwinian horizontal exchange is so rampant that it appears that no two genes have the exact same evolutionary history [2, 3, 13, 18, 19, 30, 31]. Madsen and Lipo also claim, “Nor is it required that new variation be approximated by a ran…”
Background
Editorial
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Insights into the maintenance and consequences of asexual reproduction in rotifera
Fischer, C. (2013) · Carl von Ossiezky University of Oldenburg

Authors: Boto, L.
Affiliations: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ES)
Corresponding author: Boto, Luis
ORCID: Boto, Luis
Venue: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Publisher: The Royal Society
Published: 2009-11-28
Volume: 277
Issue: 1683
Pages: 819-827
ISSN: 0080-4649 (ISSN-L)
0962-8452
1471-2954
DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2009.1679
PMC: PMC2842723
OpenAlex: W2108923274
Cited by: 379
References: 123
Citations by year: 2026: 11 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 25 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 28 · 2013: 29 · 2012: 27
FWCI: 1.45
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Licence: royalsociety.org/journals/ethics-policies/data-sharing-mining/ (tdm)
Locations: Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences (publishedVersion)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
DIGITAL.CSIC (Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics: Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › Philosophy of Biology and Scientific Explanation
Keywords: horizontal gene transfer, prokaryotic evolution, microbial evolution, phylogenetic inference, evolutionary processes, evolutionary timescales
MeSH terms: Archaea, Bacteria, Biological Evolution, Phylogeny, Gene Transfer, Horizontal

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Horizontal gene transfer in evolution: facts and challenges

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