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A Practical Guide to Phylogenetics for Nonexperts
Published on: February 5, 2014
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TreeViewer: Flexible, modular software to visualise and manipulate phylogenetic trees
Giorgio Bianchini1, Patricia Sánchez-Baracaldo1
1School of Geographical Sciences University of Bristol Bristol UK.
Ecology and Evolution
|February 5, 2024
Summary
TreeViewer is a new, user-friendly software for drawing phylogenetic trees, simplifying the creation of publication-quality evolutionary relationship figures. This tool saves researchers time by integrating multiple functions into one flexible, customizable platform.
Area of Science:
- Computational Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Phylogenetic trees are essential for visualizing evolutionary relationships between taxa or genes.
- Generating publication-quality tree figures often requires multiple software programs and significant time investment.
- Existing tools may lack flexibility or user-friendliness for complex customization needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce TreeViewer, a novel software designed for efficient and flexible phylogenetic tree visualization.
- To provide researchers with a single, user-friendly tool for creating customized, publication-ready tree figures.
- To streamline the process of phylogenetic tree plotting and reduce the need for post-processing.
Main Methods:
- TreeViewer utilizes a modular and pipeline-based approach for tree figure generation.
- The software offers both a graphical user interface (GUI) and a command-line interface (CLI) for accessibility and automation.
- Custom modules can be developed to extend the software's functionalities.
Main Results:
- TreeViewer enables the production of highly customized, publication-quality phylogenetic trees.
- The software integrates various plotting features, eliminating the need for additional graphical post-processing tools.
- It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems, ensuring broad accessibility.
Conclusions:
- TreeViewer offers a flexible, user-friendly, and comprehensive solution for phylogenetic tree visualization.
- Its design facilitates efficient creation of diverse and high-quality tree figures, saving researchers valuable time.
- The software's adaptable framework supports future expansion and customization for evolving research needs.
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