Stochastic Models for Speciation Events in Phylogenetic trees

Abstract

In a phylogenetic tree, we often don't have information about the time a speciation event (inner node) occured. Under a neutral model for speciation, I develop fast algorithms for calculating the probability that an inner node i is the k-th speciation event. For the Yule and the coalescent model, I develop an edge length estimation as well. Various properties of the Yule model are discussed throughout the thesis.