Which type of selection would promote two or more extreme traits in a population?

Which type of selection would promote two or more extreme traits in a population?

• A. Stabilizing selection
• B. Directional selection
• C. Disruptive selection
• D. Artificial selection

Answer: (C)

Disruptive selection is the type of natural selection that promotes two or more extreme traits in a population. This occurs when individuals at both extremes of a trait distribution have higher fitness than those with intermediate traits. As a result, disruptive selection can lead to a bimodal distribution of traits, effectively encouraging the prevalence of extreme variations within a population. An example of disruptive selection might be seen in a population of birds where those with very large beaks can efficiently crack large seeds, and those with very small beaks can exploit small seeds, while birds with medium-sized beaks may not be as efficient at either task. Over time, this can lead to the divergence of the population into two distinct forms with specialized traits. In contrast, stabilizing selection would favor average traits and reduce variation, and directional selection would favor one extreme trait over another, leading to a shift in the population toward the favored trait. Artificial selection is driven by human intervention to promote desirable traits, rather than natural environmental pressures, which is distinct from how disruptive selection functions in a natural setting.

Disruptive selection is the type of natural selection that promotes two or more extreme traits in a population. This occurs when individuals at both extremes of a trait distribution have higher fitness than those with intermediate traits. As a result, disruptive selection can lead to a bimodal distribution of traits, effectively encouraging the prevalence of extreme variations within a population.

An example of disruptive selection might be seen in a population of birds where those with very large beaks can efficiently crack large seeds, and those with very small beaks can exploit small seeds, while birds with medium-sized beaks may not be as efficient at either task. Over time, this can lead to the divergence of the population into two distinct forms with specialized traits.

In contrast, stabilizing selection would favor average traits and reduce variation, and directional selection would favor one extreme trait over another, leading to a shift in the population toward the favored trait. Artificial selection is driven by human intervention to promote desirable traits, rather than natural environmental pressures, which is distinct from how disruptive selection functions in a natural setting.