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8S ribosomal RNA (abbreviated 18S rRNA) is a part of the ribosomal RNA. The S in 18S represents Svedberg units. 18S rRNA is a component of the small eukaryotic ribosomal subunit (40S). 18S rRNA is the structural RNA for the small component of eukaryotic cytoplasmic ribosomes, and thus one of the basic components of all eukaryotic cells.

It is the eukaryotic nuclear homologue of 16S ribosomal RNA in Prokaryotes and mitochondria.

The genes coding for 18S rRNA are referred to as 18S rDNA. Sequence data from these genes is widely used in molecular analysis to reconstruct the evolutionary history of organisms, especially in vertebrates, as its slow evolutionary rate makes it suitable to reconstruct ancient divergences.

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Uses in phylogeny

The small subunit (SSU) 18S rRNA gene is one of the most frequently used genes in phylogenetic studies and an important marker for random target polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in environmental biodiversity screening.[1] In general, rRNA gene sequences are easy to access due to highly conserved flanking regions allowing for the use of universal primers.[1] Their repetitive arrangement within the genome provides excessive amounts of template DNA for PCR, even in smallest organisms. The 18S gene is part of the ribosomal functional core and is exposed to similar selective forces in all living beings. Thus, when the first large-scale phylogenetic studies based on 18S sequences were published - first and foremost phylogeny of the animal kingdom by Field et al. (1988)[2] - the gene was celebrated as the prime candidate for reconstructing the metazoan tree of life.[1] And in fact, 18S sequences later provided evidence for the splitting of Ecdysozoa and Lophotrochozoa, thus contributing to the most recent revolutionary change in our understanding of metazoan relationships.[1]

During recent years and with increased numbers of taxa included into molecular phylogenies, however, two problems became apparent. First, there are prevailing...