M. Thomas P. Gilbert

TL;DR: A genome-scale phylogenetic analysis of 48 species representing all orders of Neoaves recovered a highly resolved tree that confirms previously controversial sister or close relationships and identifies the first divergence in Neoaves, two groups the authors named Passerea and Columbea.

TL;DR: It is demonstrated that entire faunas of amphibians and fish can be detected by high-throughput sequencing of DNA extracted from pond water, underpin the ubiquitous nature of DNA traces in the environment and establish environmental DNA as a tool for monitoring rare and threatened species across a wide range of taxonomic groups.

TL;DR: This work explored bird macroevolution using full genomes from 48 avian species representing all major extant clades to reveal that pan-avian genomic diversity covaries with adaptations to different lifestyles and convergent evolution of traits.

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the current frontiers of eDNA, outline key aspects requiring improvement, and suggest future developments and innovations for research, including improved ability to explore ecosystem-level processes, the generation of quantitative indices for analyses of species, community diversity, and dynamics, and novel opportunities through the use of time-serial samples and unprecedented sensitivity for detecting rare or difficult-to-sample taxa.

TL;DR: This genome sequence of an ancient human obtained from ∼4,000-year-old permafrost-preserved hair provides evidence for a migration from Siberia into the New World some 5,500 years ago, independent of that giving rise to the modern Native Americans and Inuit.