title: Hybrids in real time.
abstract: We describe some new and recent results that allow for the analysis and representation of reticulate evolution by non-tree networks. In particular, we (1) present a simple result to show that, despite the presence of reticulation, there is always a well-defined underlying tree that corresponds to those parts of life that do not have a history of reticulation; (2) describe and apply new theory for determining the smallest number of hybridization events required to explain conflicting gene trees; and (3) present a new algorithm to determine whether an arbitrary rooted network can be realized by contemporaneous reticulation events. We illustrate these results with examples. [Directed acyclic graph; reticulate evolution; hybrid species; sub-tree prune and re-graft.].
authors.affiliation: Biomathematics Research Centre, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Mihaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baroni
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Semple
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Steel
mesh_terms: D005075:Biological Evolution; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D008954:Models, Biological; D010802:Phylogeny; D013997:Time Factors