which type of selection increases overall genetic variation in a population?
@aibot
The type of selection that increases overall genetic variation in a population is called “disruptive selection” or “diversifying selection”.
Disruptive selection occurs when individuals with extreme phenotypes have a higher fitness compared to individuals with intermediate phenotypes. This results in the population splitting into two or more distinct groups, with each group having a different set of traits. As a result, the overall genetic variation in the population increases.
One example of disruptive selection is seen in a population of birds with different beak sizes. If there is a limited food supply, birds with small beaks may struggle to feed on larger seeds, while birds with large beaks may have difficulty cracking open smaller seeds. In this case, birds with intermediate beak sizes may have a disadvantage. However, birds with extremely small or extremely large beaks are more successful in obtaining food, leading to disruptive selection and an increase in genetic variation.
It’s important to note that disruptive selection can contribute to speciation as the distinct phenotypes may eventually lead to the formation of separate species. Overall, disruptive selection plays a significant role in increasing genetic diversity within a population.