Identifiability Issues in Phylogeny-Based Detection of Horizontal Gene Transfer

摘要: Prokaryotic organisms share genetic material across species boundaries by means of a process known as horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Detecting this bears great significance on understanding prokaryotic genome diversification and unraveling their complexities. Phylogeny-based detection HGT is one the most commonly used approaches for task, based fundamental fact that may cause trees to disagree with another, well phylogeny. Hence, methods adopt approach compare trees, infer set events reconcile differences among these trees. In paper, we address some identifiability issues face phylogeny-based HGT. In particular, show effect inaccuracies in reconstructed (species gene) inferring correct number events. Further, large maximally parsimonious scenarios exist. These results indicate accurate requires reconstruction individual necessitates search more than single scenario explain tree disagreements. Finally, disagreements be result not only HGT, but also lineage sorting, make initial progress incorporating into coalescent model, so stochastically distinguish between two an reconciliation. This contribution very significant, particularly when analyzing closely related organisms.