The asymptotic distribution of the length of Beta-coalescent trees

We derive the asymptotic distribution of the total length $L_n$ of a $\operatorname {Beta}(2-\alpha,\alpha)$-coalescent tree for $1<\alpha<2$, starting from $n$ individuals. There are two regimes: If $\alpha\le1/2(1+\sqrt{5})$, then $L_n$ suitably rescaled has a stable limit distribution of index $\alpha$. Otherwise $L_n$ just has to be shifted by a constant (depending on $n$) to get convergence to a nondegenerate limit distribution. As a consequence, we obtain the limit distribution of the number $S_n$ of segregation sites. These are points (mutations), which are placed on the tree's branches according to a Poisson point process with constant rate.