The phylogenetic trees are generated by Fluxus Network software. A group of mtdna sequences are entered into the software, which then reconstructs all possible, shortest, least complex phylogenetic trees for those sequences. Usually three to five alternate trees result, differing only in detail at a few places. I arbitrarily select the one that seems most reasonable for presentation on this site. In the case of HVR1 or HVR1 + HVR2 trees, the one most closely matching the results of the full sequence tree is used. Let's study one example:
In these trees, the central, ancestral type is indicated (in this case, CAAAQV, marked as 'W3', with the basic HVR1 sequence 16223 16292 16519). Each line away from the central type shows the additional mutations leading to the next motif on the tree. For example, mv1, just to the right of the central type, has a '16129' marked on the line. This means that the descendant mv1 has the motif 16129 16223 16292 16519.
Moving further on the tree away from the central, ancestral type, we see two descendants of mv1. The one to the upper right, HU1348, has "16192" on the line. So HU1348's motif is 16129 16192 16223 16292 16519.
GR0226, to the lower right of mv1 has '16292' on the line. This indicates a change from mv1 at 16292, which however is already present in the mv1 motif. What this means is that 16292 has changed back to the CRS value, so would not be reported as a change to CRS, so that the motif for GR0226 is 16129 16223 16519 (mv1's motif without the 16292).
The labels of the motifs consist of the two-letter ISO country code for the most remote known matrilineal ancestor for that motif; and the four right-most characters of the motif's GenBank, FTDNA, mitosearch, or other identifier. 'UN' indicates unknown ancestry. 'mv' motifs are intermediate types inferred by the Network software, but (so far) not represented by an existing lineage. The larger yellow circles indicate multiple individuals reporting that motif. Multiple countries for such motifs are listed on the chart.
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