Most recent common ancestor

Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA) refers to the most recent individual from which all organisms in a group are directly descended. It is a concept used in fields such as evolutionary biology, genetics, and genealogy. The MRCA of a set of individuals can sometimes be determined by referring to an established pedigree or using genetic information.

Definition

The MRCA is defined in terms of a population, not an individual. It is the most recent individual who is an ancestor of all members of the population. The MRCA of a set of individuals can be determined by tracing back their ancestries. The MRCA is not necessarily the furthest back that an ancestry can be traced, but rather the most recent individual who is a common ancestor to all members of the population.

Applications

The concept of the MRCA is used in various fields. In evolutionary biology, it is used to trace the ancestry of different species and to determine their evolutionary relationships. In genetics, it is used to trace the inheritance of specific genes or genetic markers. In genealogy, it is used to trace the ancestry of individuals or families.

Determining the MRCA

Determining the MRCA of a set of individuals can be a complex process. It involves tracing back the ancestry of each individual in the set, which can be done using various methods such as genealogical research, genetic testing, and historical records. The MRCA is the most recent individual who appears in all of these ancestries.

See also

• Coalescent theory
• Last universal common ancestor
• Pedigree collapse
• Genetic genealogy