Exact formulas for the variance of several balance indices under the Yule model.

One of the main applications of balance indices is in tests of null models of evolutionary processes. The knowledge of an exact formula for a statistic of a balance index, holding for any number $$n$$ of leaves, is necessary in order to use this statistic in tests of this kind involving trees of any size. In this paper we obtain exact formulas for the variance under the Yule model of the Sackin, the Colless and the total cophenetic indices of binary rooted phylogenetic trees with $$n$$ leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]