Exploring phylogenetic tree balance metrics

I need to simulate balanced and unbalanced phylogenetic trees for some research I am doing. In order to do this, I do rejection sampling: simulate a tree -> measure tree shape -> reject if not balanced or unbalanced enough. But what is enough? We need to define some cutoff value to determine what will be our set of balanced and unbalanced trees. calculate shape metrics A function to calculate shape metrics, and a custom theme for plottingn phylogenies....

October 10, 2012 · 4 min · Scott Chamberlain