A public collection of phylogenetics experiences in audio and video form

Abstract

Multimedia representations of phylogenies can only broaden the audience experiencing results of the field. I developed a bioinformatics pipeline for representation of phylogenies as audio and video, optimized to enable conversion of an extremely wide range of phylogeny structures (from tens to tens of thousands of terminals). I also compiled and standardized a set of contemporary phylogenetics results comprising only ones that were provisioned in analyzable form supplementary to a publication and that had been assigned a Creative Commons license by the authors. Fifty-six such phylogenies were audified and the resultant media files were made easily accessible. This work provisionally addresses a problematic gap in public information on phylogenetics for nonvisual modalities, and exemplifies how evolutionary biologists might better respond to obligations in widening participation.

Keywords

audification / phylogeny / sight-impaired / sonification / Tree of Life

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2025 Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences.