Entering edit mode
7.6 years ago
bpz
▴
60
Hello
I have a phylogenetic tree composed of +1000 protein sequences, and I need to assign a root. Finding an outgroup is extremely difficult. I was wondering if anyone knows a way to assign a root without an outgroup (besides the midpoint rooting method).
Thanks for the help, cheers.
I wonder why having a root which is not phylogenetically significant. I mean, usually you use outgroups to root trees in order to have information on the evolutionary relationship amongst the the groups in your tree. Not using this approach means rooting just to have a "prettier" tree, i guess. So in my eyes the answer is use an un-rooted tree.
A root gives a tree "polarity", it is indispensable if you need to calculate a molecular clock.
I think you are right, but what is the meaning of a root that does not have real evolutionary value?
That is why I need to find a method to get a root with evolutionary significance. (the midpoint root method probably won't work, for the reason you stated). I don't know if only the outgroup method provides a significant root.