jsPhyloSVG: a javascript library for visualizing interactive and vector-based phylogenetic trees on the web.

Area of Science:

• Computational Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Web Technologies

Background:

• Traditional phylogenetic tree software is primarily designed for print.
• The web demands interactive and universally viewable phylogenetic tree visualizations.
• Existing methods lack cross-browser compatibility and interactive features for online dissemination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel approach for publishing interactive phylogenetic trees online.
• To develop a JavaScript library for dynamic phylogenetic tree generation.
• To enhance the accessibility and interactivity of phylogenetic data on the web.

Main Methods:

• Developed jsPhyloSVG, a JavaScript library for creating interactive phylogenetic trees.
• Utilized Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) for rendering trees directly in the browser.
• Supported raw Newick and phyloXML formats for direct interpretation.
• Implemented features for rectangular and circular phylograms with integrated charting.
• Ensured cross-browser compatibility and provided fallback formats for non-SVG browsers.

Main Results:

• jsPhyloSVG enables the direct generation of interactive phylogenetic trees from standard formats within web browsers.
• The library produces dynamic trees in SVG format, ensuring broad compatibility and interactivity.
• Interactive elements, such as click events on labels, can be integrated into the trees.
• The system renders alternative formats for browsers that do not support SVG.

Conclusions:

• jsPhyloSVG offers an open-source solution for rendering dynamic and interactive phylogenetic trees.
• It supports direct interpretation of tree inference formats, facilitating data mining.
• The library functions across major browsers without requiring plugins.
• Source code, documentation, and examples are freely available online.