title: The total branch length of sample genealogies in populations of variable size.
abstract: We consider neutral evolution of a large population subject to changes in its population size. For a population with a time-variable carrying capacity we study the distribution of the total branch lengths of its sample genealogies. Within the coalescent approximation we have obtained a general expression-Equation 20-for the moments of this distribution with a given arbitrary dependence of the population size on time. We investigate how the frequency of population-size variations alters the total branch length.
authors.affiliation: Mathematical Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology and University of Gothenburg, SE-41296 Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mehlig
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rafajlovic
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sagitov
mesh_terms: D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003710:Demography; D040961:Genetic Drift; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008957:Models, Genetic; D010375:Pedigree; D011156:Population Density; D011157:Population Dynamics