Abstract

One of the strengths of the maximum likelihood method of phylogenetic estimation is the ease with which hypotheses can be formulated and tested. Maximum likelihood analysis of DNA and amino acid sequence data has been made practical with recent advances in models of DNA substitution, computer programs, and computational speed. Here, we describe the maximum likelihood method and the recent improvements in models of substitution. We also describe how likelihood ratio tests of a variety of biological hypotheses can be formulated and tested using computer simulation to generate the null distribution of the likelihood ratio test statistic.

Keywords

Maximum likelihoodLikelihood-ratio testMaximum likelihood sequence estimationSubstitution (logic)StatisticsRestricted maximum likelihoodNull hypothesisStatisticScore testPhylogenetic treeComputer scienceNull (SQL)Test statisticStatistical hypothesis testingLikelihood functionLikelihood principleMathematicsEconometricsBiologyData miningQuasi-maximum likelihoodGenetics

Affiliated Institutions

Related Publications

Publication Info

Year
1997
Type
article
Volume
28
Issue
1
Pages
437-466
Citations
1064
Access
Closed

External Links

Social Impact

Social media, news, blog, policy document mentions

Citation Metrics

1064
OpenAlex

Cite This

John P. Huelsenbeck, Keith A. Crandall (1997). Phylogeny Estimation and Hypothesis Testing Using Maximum Likelihood. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics , 28 (1) , 437-466. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.28.1.437

Identifiers

DOI
10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.28.1.437