This repository provides general Python bindings for some phylogenetic XML formats, such as PhyloXML, NexML or OrthoXML. Parsers are automatically generated by the generateDS.py (gDS) tool, although modifications in the gDS code are sometimes required to deal with the peculiarities of some XML schemes. However, I'm in contact with the gDS developer, Dave Kuhlman, to maintain gDS code in sync with the needs of bioXML standards. Parsers are updated regularly to reflect last changes in the XML schemes. Since parsers are independent from any external tool, they provide the bases for input/output XML support to any Python application or toolkit. They facilitate also the exchange of annotated phylogenetic datasets among different tools. These three parsers are also part of the ETE toolkit package (http://ete.cgenomics.org), where they provide a more convenient integration with tree data structures. LICENSE AND DISTRIBUTION Since the code of parsers is auto-generated, they are free of any license or restriction. HOW TO USE THE PARSERS Parsers can be used as Python modules. A parse function is included in each module which allows loading XML data. All elements will be converted into Python objects (each element has its own class) and hierarchically connected. from phyloxml import parse my_phyloxml_project = parse("phylo.XML") The opposite direction, creating python objects representing XML data, is also possible. Thus, XML datasets can be programmaticaly created and exported. from phyloxml import Phyloxml my_project = Phyloxml() ... ... my_project.export(output=sys.stdout, level=0) As an example, the ETE toolkit integrates several of these parses to provide tree analysis, manipulation and visualization features directly on XML datasets.