Phylogenetic Networks Based on the Molecular Clock Hypothesis

Abstract

A classical result in phylogenetic trees is that a binary phylogenetic tree adhering to the molecular clock hypothesis exists if and only if the matrix of distances between taxa is ultrametric. The ultrametric condition is very restrictive. In this paper we study phylogenetic networks that can be constructed assuming the molecular clock hypothesis. We characterize distance matrices that admit such networks for 3 and 4 taxa. We design an efficient algorithm for a special class of phylogenetic networks that can detect the existence of a network and constructs it.