We’re going to be introducing this new category called Web2PyWatch basically to inspire us and all the QuadraForte blog readers out there on how far Web2Py can push the envelope of cloud computing.

First up is Phylografter (beta version) just released by Richard Ree). As dechronization (EvolutionPhylogeneticTreesComparativeMethods) points out:

“Phylografter is a web2py-based application that allows users to upload trees or use existing ones in order to join them for the purpose of creating a single large phylogeny. The current demo version can be downloaded or run on a web server, and handles up to 7,000 tips. There are thousands of trees already uploaded into the tree database, which can be used to create new glomograms. It is presently a bit plant-heavy–not a big surprise, given the context of its creation.“

How complex are the computations that Phylografter does? EOL Biodiversity Synthesis Group gives a description:

“Knowledge of the Tree of Life can greatly enhance our understanding of the evolution-ecology relationship, an active and dynamic area of current research. A collaborative eort, funded by NCEAS, is currently underway to reconstruct a comprehensive evolutionary tree (phylogeny) of North American vascular plants, and to investigate the geographic pattern of species diversity at a continental scale and how it relates to ecosystem processes.

The scale of this phylogeny is unprecedented, and strategies for assembling trees of this size (about 25,000 species) are not well developed. This method-focused meeting was designed to refine approaches for assembling large phylogenies and to train students in their use.”

If  you want to see Phylografter at work check it out here and also give your kudos to Richard Ree.

posted by Paul “The Pageman” Pajo