PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Dustin Brisson
TI  - Negative frequency-dependent selection is frequently confounding
AID  - 10.1101/113324
DP  - 2017 Jan 01
TA  - bioRxiv
PG  - 113324
4099  - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/03/03/113324.short
4100  - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/03/03/113324.full
AB  - The existence of persistent genetic variation within natural populations presents an evolutionary problem as natural selection and genetic drift tend to erode genetic diversity. Models of balancing selection were developed to account for the high and sometimes extreme levels of polymorphism found in many natural populations. Negative frequency-dependent selection may be the most powerful selective force maintaining balanced natural polymorphisms but it is also commonly misinterpreted. The aim of this review is to clarify the processes underlying the negative frequency-dependent selection model, describe classes of natural polymorphisms that can and cannot result from these processes, and discuss observational and experimental data that can aid in accurately identifying the processes that generated or are maintain diversity in nature. Finally, I consider the importance of accurately describing the processes affecting genetic diversity within populations as it relates to research progress.