In: Biology
How are phylogenies made that extend back 100s of millions of years?
Scientists trace evolutionary relationships of an organism as well as trace their phylogeny. In order for the scientists to construct phylogenies that are millions of years old, the scientists would be using systematics, which helps in understanding of the diversity as well as the relationship that exists between the organisms that have already become extinct, in comparison to the organisms who are living.
The evidences used for reconstruction of phylogenies, are the fossil records that are obtained. The fossil records serve in identifications of the biochemical similarities that are present between different organisms. Systematics also play an important role in phylogeny creation, such that there would be comparison of the genomic sequences, RNA as well as DNA. The comparison if these sequences help in evolutionary relationship establishment. One of the. Best fossil sources is sedimentary rocks.