TY - JOUR T1 - Negative frequency-dependent selection is frequently confounding JF - bioRxiv DO - 10.1101/113324 SP - 113324 AU - Dustin Brisson Y1 - 2017/01/01 UR - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/05/16/113324.abstract N2 - 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. ER -