Compression of Phylogenetic Networks and Algorithm for the Tree Containment Problem.

Rooted phylogenetic networks are rooted acyclic digraphs. They are used to model complex evolution where hybridization, recombination, and other reticulation events play a role. A rigorous definition of network compression is introduced on the basis of recent studies of relationships between cluster, tree, and rooted phylogenetic networks. The concept reveals new connections between well-studied network classes, including tree-child networks and reticulation-visible networks. It also enables us to define a new class of networks for which the cluster containment problem is solvable in linear time.