Tree Visualization By One Table (tvBOT): a web application for visualizing, modifying and annotating phylogenetic trees

tvBOT is a user-friendly and efficient web application for visualizing, modifying, and annotating phylogenetic trees. It is highly efficient in data preparation without requiring redundant style and syntax data. Tree annotations are powered by a data driven engine that only requires practical data organized in uniform formats and saved as one table file. A layer manager is developed to manage annotation dataset layers, allowing the addition of a specific layer by selecting the columns of a corresponding annotation data file. Furthermore, tvBOT renders style adjustments in real-time and diversified ways. All style adjustments can be made on a highly interactive user interface and are available for mobile devices. The display engine allows the changes to be updated and rendered in real-time. In addition, tvBOT supports the combination display of 26 annotation dataset types to achieve multiple formats for tree annotations with reusable phylogenetic data. Besides several publication-ready graphics formats, JSON format can be exported to save the final drawing state and all related data, which can be shared with other users, uploaded to restore the final drawing state for re-editing or used as a style template for quickly retouching a new tree file. tvBOT is freely available at: https://www.chiplot.online/tvbot.html.

Automated summary

tvBOT is a user-friendly and efficient web application for visualizing, modifying, and annotating phylogenetic trees. It excels in data preparation by eliminating redundant style and syntax data. With a data-driven engine, tvBOT allows annotations with practical data organized in uniform formats, making it easy to add specific layers of annotation dataset. It supports real-time and diversified style adjustments, and can be used on mobile devices. Furthermore, tvBOT offers multiple formats for tree annotations by combining 26 annotation dataset types. It also allows exporting the final drawing state and related data in JSON format for sharing, editing, or using as a style template. tvBOT is available for free at: https://www.chiplot.online/tvbot.html.