"Normal" phylogenetic networks may be emerging as the leading class

TL;DR

This paper argues that 'normal' phylogenetic networks are becoming the leading model class due to their balance of biological relevance and mathematical tractability, supported by recent theoretical results.

Contribution

It consolidates recent findings to position normal networks as a prominent class in phylogenetics, bridging biological and mathematical considerations.

Findings

Normal networks are mathematically tractable.

Recent results support their biological relevance.

They are emerging as a leading class in phylogenetics.

Abstract

The rich and varied ways that genetic material can be passed between species has motivated extensive research into the theory of phylogenetic networks. Features that align with biological processes, or with desirable mathematical properties, have been used to define classes and prove results, with the goal of developing the theoretical foundations for network reconstruction methods. We may have now reached the point where a collection of recent results can be drawn together to make one class of network, the \emph{normal} networks, a leading contender, sitting in the sweet spot between biological relevance and mathematical tractability.