On the number of collisions in beta(\(2, b\))-coalescents (Q605025)

Coalescent processes are stochastic Markov processes of partitions on the natural numbers (for example the Kingman coalescence or the Bolthausen-Sznitman coalescence). Recently \textit{J. Pitman} [Ann. Probab. 27, No. 4, 1870--1902 (1999; Zbl 0963.60079)] and \textit{S. Sagitov} [J. Appl. Probab. 36, No.4, 1116--1125 (1999; Zbl 0962.92026)] introduced a general concept of (so-called) \(\Lambda\)-coalescents, where \(\Lambda\) denotes a finite measure on \([0,1]\). The present paper deals with the special case of \(\beta(2,b)\)-coalescents, where \(\Lambda = \beta(2,b)\) is the beta distribution. In particular the authors derive asymptotic expansions for the moments of the number of collisions \(X_n\), and they prove a strong law of large numbers and a central limit theorem. These results complement previous results for \(\beta(a,b)\)-coalescents with \(a\neq 2\). The case \(a=2\) seems to be a kind of \textit{borderline situation} since it (seems that it) requires a different proof technique. Actually the authors apply the so-called \textit{contraction method} to the stochastic recurrence \(X_n = X_{n-I_n} + 1\), where the (discrete) distribution of \(I_n\) is given in terms of \(\Lambda=\beta(2,b)\).