Phylogenetic Network

Phylogenetic networks are graphical representations of evolutionary relationships, moving beyond simple tree structures to accommodate reticulate evolution (e.g., hybridization or horizontal gene transfer). Current research focuses on developing efficient algorithms, often incorporating machine learning techniques like graph neural networks, to construct and analyze these networks, particularly addressing the computationally challenging problem of integrating multiple phylogenetic trees. These advancements are improving our ability to model complex evolutionary histories across diverse fields, from predicting technological trends to understanding the dynamics of microbial communities and improving the accuracy of phylogenetic inference.