Group-based models arise in algebraic statistics while studying evolution
processes. They are represented by embedded toric algebraic varieties. Both
from the theoretical and applied point of view one is interested in determining
the ideals defining the varieties. Conjectural bounds on the degree in which
these ideals are generated were given by Sturmfels and Sullivant. We prove that
for the 3-Kimura model, corresponding to the group G=Z2xZ2, the projective
scheme can be defined by an ideal generated in degree 4. In particular, it is
enough to consider degree 4 phylogenetic invariants to test if a given point
belongs to the variety. We also investigate G-models, a generalization of
abelian group-based models. For any G-model, we prove that there exists a
constant d, such that for any tree, the associated projective scheme can be
defined by an ideal generated in degree at most d.Comment: Boundedness results for equations defining the projective scheme were
extended to G-models (including 2-Kimura and all JC
