EvoLaps 2: Advanced Phylogeographic Visualization

Abstract

EvoLaps is a user-friendly web application designed to visualize the spatial and temporal spread of pathogens. It takes an annotated tree as entry, such as a maximum clade credibility tree obtained through continuous phylogeographic inference. By following a ‘Top-Down’ reading of a tree recursively, transitions (latitude/longitude changes from a node to its children) are represented on a cartographic background using graphical paths. The complete set of paths forms the phylogeographic scenario. EvoLaps offers several features to analyze complex scenarios: (i) enhanced path display using multiple graphical variables with time-dependent gradients, (ii) cross-highlighting and selection capabilities between the phylogeographic scenario and the phylogenetic tree, (iii) production of specific spatio-temporal scales and synthetic views through dynamic and iterative clustering of localities into spatial clusters, (iv) animation of the phylogeographic scenario using tree brushing, which can be done manually or automatically, gradually over time or at specific time intervals, and for the entire tree or a specific clade, and (v) an evolving library of additional tools. EvoLaps is freely available for use at evolaps.org.