MEGA

About

MEGA is a sophisticated and user-friendly software suite for analyzing DNA and protein sequence data from species and populations. The current release, MEGA 12.1, includes a redesigned Calibration Editor that integrates with the TimeTree database for accessing molecular time estimates, along with an updated Tree Explorer toolbar that is designed to be more intuitive and accessible. MEGA 12 also adds a filtering approach that avoids computations for sub-optimal substitution models, an adaptive bootstrap for Maximum Likelihood search that dynamically determines the number of replicates needed, and integration with DrPhylo for testing the fragility of inferred clades.

The software supports phylogeny inference, model selection, dating and clocks, ancestral states, selection and tests, sequence alignment, and statistical methods, including Maximum Likelihood, distance methods, Maximum Parsimony, Composite Likelihood, and Bayesian approaches. Visual tools include an Alignment/Trace Editor, Tree Explorer, data explorers, a Legend Generator, a Gene Duplication Wizard, and a Timetree Wizard. MEGA is available as a graphical (GUI) and command line (CC) application on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

The website also offers MEGA-GPT, an AI-powered assistant for MEGA users, along with instructional video tutorials created by users. The MEGA software has been downloaded more than 3.5 million times over its 25-year history.