GPT: a web-server to map phylogenetic trees on a virtual globe

GPT (Global Positioning Trees) is a web-server that maps phylogenetic trees on a virtual globe. The minimum requirements are a phylogenetic tree and geographical coordinates of leaves to generate a Keyhole Markup Language (KML) file that can be viewed on Google Earth. An advantage of GPT is the results may be pre-visualized directly on the web. This web-server also implements several tools to display geolocation and geotrack data. GPT has been designed to be an easy-to-use tool to track evolutionary processes and will be useful for phylogeographical and spatial epidemiological studies. It covers a wide-range of visualizations divided in three components increasingly complex: geolocation, geotrack and GPT. This web-server is freely available at http://ppuigbo.me/programs/GPT and only requires Internet access, a web browser, and an earth browser able to read KML files. Several examples and a tutorial are accessible from the web-server’s home page.