Open Tree of Life: Mapping the Phylogenetic History of Species
The Open Tree of Life is a comprehensive, collaborative online project dedicated to creating a complete phylogenetic tree—a diagram representing the evolutionary relationships among all known species. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), this initiative aims to synthesize vast amounts of biological data into a single, accessible resource for the global scientific community.
Launched in September 2015, the project provides an interactive graph that allows users to explore taxonomic classifications and phylogenetic trees. By zooming into specific nodes, users can uncover detailed information about evolutionary lineages, while clicking on individual species reveals their source data and reference taxonomy.
Key Facts
- Launch Date: September 2015.
- Initial Scope: The first draft included 2.3 million species.
- Funding: Supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
- License: Distributed under the BSD 2-clause (FreeBSD) license.
- Accessibility: Free to use, no registration required, and non-commercial.
The Scientific Approach
To construct a unified map of life, the project employs a supertree approach. This method generates a single phylogenetic tree by integrating a comprehensive taxonomy with a curated collection of previously published phylogenetic estimates.
The Open Tree Taxonomy (OTT)
A critical component of this process is the creation of the Open Tree Taxonomy (OTT). Because biological classifications can vary across different studies, the project uses a specialized software tool called "smasher" to combine several large classifications into one cohesive system. This resulting taxonomy serves as the backbone for the phylogenetic data and can be browsed independently online.
Project History and Development
The journey toward a comprehensive tree of life began in June 2012. The project was initiated via a three-year award from the NSF, involving researchers from ten different universities. To further the project's goals, a two-year supplemental award was granted in 2015 to researchers at three additional institutions.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Website | opentreeoflife.org |
| Tree Visualization | tree.opentreeoflife.org |
| Primary Tool | Smasher (for taxonomy assembly) |
| Initial Species Count | 2.3 million |
| Registration Required | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Open Tree of Life?
It is a collaborative, NSF-funded project that creates a comprehensive phylogenetic tree of all known species to visualize evolutionary relationships.
How is the tree constructed?
The project uses a supertree approach, combining a curated set of published phylogenetic estimates with a unified taxonomy created by the "smasher" software tool.
What is the Open Tree Taxonomy (OTT)?
The OTT is the standardized taxonomic framework produced by the project, which merges multiple large classifications into a single, browsable system.
Is the Open Tree of Life free to use?
Yes, the project is active, requires no registration for access, and is released under the BSD 2-clause license.
Who funded the development of this project?
The project was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through awards granted to researchers across multiple universities.