Whole Genomes Reveal a Mosaic of Evolutionary History: A Case Study in Rattlesnakes

This project uses whole genomes of rattlesnakes in the genus Crotalus to show that more than one, well-supported evolutionary history is obtainable when using whole genomes in systematics. Rather than a single "answer" (tree), we show multiple topologies can manifest due to a variety of evolutionary phenomena as these rattlesnakes diverged from one another. This study shows that while whole genomes make systematic inference more complex, as opposed to easier due to increase dataset size, genomes encapsulate a broader range of evolutionary history that can inform researchers of how species evolve into the present day diversity.