# Does linked selection explain the narrow range of genetic diversity across species?

## TL;DR

This paper questions whether linked selection is the main reason for the limited genetic diversity seen across different species.

## Contribution

The paper challenges the recent claim that linked selection strongly constrains polymorphism in species with large populations.

## Key findings

- Linked selection affects polymorphism levels within genomes of many species.
- There is currently weak evidence that linked selection determines polymorphism levels among obligately sexual species.

## Abstract

The relatively narrow range of genetic polymorphism levels across species has been a major source of debate since the inception of molecular population genetics. Recently Corbett-Detig et al found evidence that linked selection strongly constrains levels of polymorphism in species with large census sizes. Here I reexamine this claim and find weak support for this conclusion. While linked selection is an important determinant of polymorphism levels along the genome in many species, we currently lack compelling evidence that it is a major determinant of polymorphism levels among obligately sexual species.