A rooted phylogeny resolves early bacterial evolution

Reconstructing ancestral bacteria The origin of the eubacteria and phylogenetic relationships between subgroups have been difficult to resolve. Applying a analysis recent computational methods expanded diversity bacterial sequences from metagenomic analyses, Coleman et al. infer root eubacterial tree (see Perspective by Katz). was determined without using Archaea as an outgroup, avoid possibility false result due long branch attraction. This method places in neighborhood Fusobacteriota. Using this information, authors reconstructed ancestor, identifying that organism likely had double-membrane cell envelope, flagellum-mediated motility, antiphage defense mechanisms, diverse metabolic pathways. Science , issue p. eabe0511 ; see also 574