A dendrogram of archaea based on lipid component parts composition and its relationship to rRNA phylogeny.

The results of two objective and quantitative, computer-assisted analyses of the lipid component parts distribution pattern among various archaeal organisms belonging to Euryarchaeota are reported. One was a cluster analysis and the other a selection of unique combinations of lipid component parts found exclusively in a given taxon. The cluster analysis revealed that the distribution of lipid component parts was correlated with phylogeny based on small subunit rRNA sequences, although there was some discrepancy with rRNA phylogeny. A hypothesis that may explain the reason for the correlation and the discrepancy is proposed. In our scenario, we assumed that random and independent mutations on the rRNA and lipid biosynthesis genes may result largely in coincided evolution. The fact that RNA and lipid are semantide and episemantic molecules, respectively, is the fundamental difference between the phylogeny of RNA and lipid. Moreover, different selective pressures on RNA and lipids exert different effects on their evolution. Unique lipid component parts were detected for eight out of nine orders, 14 families, and 22 genera of the Euryarchaeota analyzed. A unique lipid component parts combination pattern characterized the taxon. The results confirm and extend a previously reported conclusion based on a more statistical basis.