English

Which phylogenetic networks are merely trees with additional arcs?

Populations and Evolution 2015-05-25 v3 Data Structures and Algorithms

Abstract

A binary phylogenetic network may or may not be obtainable from a tree by the addition of directed edges (arcs) between tree arcs. Here, we establish a precise and easily tested criterion (based on `2-SAT') that efficiently determines whether or not any given network can be realized in this way. Moreover, the proof provides a polynomial-time algorithm for finding one or more trees (when they exist) on which the network can be based. A number of interesting consequences are presented as corollaries; these lead to some further relevant questions and observations, which we outline in the conclusion.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1502.07045,
  title  = {Which phylogenetic networks are merely trees with additional arcs?},
  author = {Andrew R. Francis and Mike Steel},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1502.07045},
  year   = {2015}
}

Comments

The final version of this article will appear in Systematic Biology. 20 pages, 7 figures

R2 v1 2026-06-22T08:37:18.579Z