I am trying to use splatter to simulate certain topologies - let's say I want to simulate a differentiation whose Newick tree would look like (B,(D,E)C)A; How do I implement this as a path for splatSimulate? It is not clear to me how to set up the path.from parameter.

ok had to go into the code, but I think i figured it out:

when you define path.from, you specify at which points the branch starts. The end point of the branch you defined is always the position you are at:

path.from <- c(0, 1, 1, 2, 2)
               |  |  |  |  |
               1  2  3  4  5

this defines a tree that looks like this:

    ┌---3
0---1   ┌---4
    └---2        
        └---5

would be great if the authors can confirm/deny :)