Coupling and ergodic theorems for Fleming-Viot processes

Abstract

Fleming-Viot processes are probability-measure-valued diffusion processes that can be used as stochastic models in population genetics. Here we use duality methods to prove ergodic theorems for Fleming-Viot processes, including those with recombination. Coupling methods are also used to establish ergodicity of Fleming-Viot processes, first without and then with selection. A special type of selection known as symmetric overdominance is treated by other methods.