Skip to content

Commit

Permalink
Update paper.md
Browse files Browse the repository at this point in the history
  • Loading branch information
hazem-dev authored May 30, 2024
1 parent 3a85725 commit 0c999ff
Showing 1 changed file with 8 additions and 3 deletions.
11 changes: 8 additions & 3 deletions paper/paper.md
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -38,11 +38,16 @@ aas-journal: Astrophysical Journal <- The name of the AAS journal.
---

# Summary
The cross-platform application for phylogenetic tree analysis with climate parameters, *aPhyloGeo*, is a robust pipeline designed for comprehensive phylogenetic analyses using genetic and climate data. This Python API, available at [PyPI] (https://pypi.org/project/aphylogeo/), offers a suite of analyses adapted to different scenarios, enabling the examination of datasets at three distinct levels: 1) genetic, 2) climatic and 3) biogeographic correlation, all within a unified package. Similarity at these levels, assessed by metrics such as least squares distance [@felsenstein1997alternating], Euclidean distance and Robinson-Foulds distance [@robinson1981comparison], significantly influences the assumptions guiding the identification of correlations between species genetics and their habitats when reconstructing the multiple alignment required for phylogenetic inference [@gascuel2006neighbor].
*aPhyloGeo*, a versatile and open-source Python application available at [PyPI] (https://pypi.org/project/aphylogeo/), is designed to elucidate the complex relationship between species evolution and environmental pressures, with a particular focus on climate. By integrating genetic and climatic data, *aPhyloGeo* empowers researchers to investigate the mechanisms of evolutionary adaptation and pinpoint genetic regions potentially influenced by environmental factors.

By utilizing the *aPhyloGeo* Python API, users can programmatically implement sophisticated phylogenetic analyses without the need for a graphical interface. This API provides a powerful and flexible toolset for conducting analyses, allowing users to tailor the application to their specific research needs. Through this approach, *aPhyloGeo* facilitates a nuanced understanding of the interplay between genetic evolution and environmental factors in the context of species adaptation, all within the Python programming environment.
The software's core strength lies in its comprehensive phylogenetic analysis pipeline, encompassing three distinct levels of investigation: genetic relationships, climatic impact assessment, and biogeographic correlations. This multi-faceted approach facilitates a holistic understanding of how species evolve and adapt to their environments. For example, researchers studying the genetic basis of high-altitude adaptation in birds could utilize aPhyloGeo to construct phylogenetic trees from genetic data, analyze oxygen levels across different altitudes, and identify correlations between specific genes and hypoxic conditions.

By selecting an appropriate gene list for the available data defined on a set of species to explain the adaptation of the species according to the Darwinian hypothesis, the user can be confident that these assumptions are taken into account in *aPhyloGeo*.
In another scenario, scientists investigating the impact of climate change on marine biodiversity could employ *aPhyloGeo* to examine the genetic diversity of coral species, assess changes in sea surface temperatures over time, and pinpoint genetic markers associated with thermal tolerance.
These examples demonstrate the wide range of research questions that *aPhyloGeo* can address, making it an invaluable tool for evolutionary biologists, ecologists, and conservationists alike.

Underlying *aPhyloGeo*'s analyses are robust algorithms employing metrics such as least squares distance [@felsenstein1997alternating] , Euclidean distance, and Robinson-Foulds distance [@robinson1981comparison] to quantify similarity across different levels. This rigorous approach ensures that the identification of correlations is statistically sound, while adhering to the principles of phylogenetic inference [@gascuel2006neighbor]. The software's modular design and Python interface offer flexibility, allowing users to tailor analyses to their specific research questions and datasets. Additionally, *aPhyloGeo*'s open-source nature fosters collaboration and transparency within the scientific community.

By enabling researchers to explore the complex interplay between genetics and environment, *aPhyloGeo* contributes to a deeper understanding of evolutionary processes. This knowledge not only enhances our appreciation of the natural world but also informs conservation efforts in the face of climate change and other environmental challenges. By identifying genetic adaptations to changing environments, *aPhyloGeo* can help prioritize species and populations for conservation, ultimately contributing to the preservation of biodiversity on our planet.

# Statement of Need

Expand Down

0 comments on commit 0c999ff

Please sign in to comment.