QNet : an agglomerative method for the construction of phylogenetic networks from weighted quartets.

• We present QNet, a method for constructing split networks from weighted quartet trees. QNet can be viewed as a quartet analogue of the distance-based Neighbor-Net (NNet) method for network construction. Just as NNet, QNet works by agglomeratively computing a collection of circular weighted splits of the taxa set which is subsequently represented by a planar split network. To illustrate the applicability of QNet, we apply it to a previously published Salmonella data set. We conclude that QNet can provide a useful alternative to NNet if distance data are not available or a character-based approach is preferred. Moreover, it can be used as an aid for determining when a quartet-based tree-building method may or may not be appropriate for a given data set. QNet is freely available for download.

Nyckelord

Algorithms

Least-Squares Analysis

Models; Genetic

Models; Statistical

Phylogeny

Salmonella/genetics

Software

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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