What kind of selection favors extreme phenotypes over the average phenotype?

Disruptive selection is a process in evolution that favors extreme phenotypes at both ends of the spectrum, rather than the average phenotype. This type of selection occurs when individuals with traits that are at the extremes of a given range have a higher fitness in a particular environment, which can lead to the development of two or more distinct varieties within a population.

For example, in a habitat where both very dark and very light colored individuals have advantages for survival due to specific environmental factors, those individuals with average coloration may find it more difficult to thrive. As a result, disruptive selection can increase the occurrence of these extreme phenotypes while decreasing the average phenotype.

This concept contrasts with stabilizing selection, which favors average phenotypes by selecting against extreme variations. Directional selection tends to favor one extreme phenotype over the other, pushing the population towards that particular trait over time. Artificial selection, on the other hand, involves human intervention in breeding practices to enhance desired traits in organisms.

Understanding disruptive selection is crucial in examining how varied traits can be supported within a population, ultimately contributing to evolutionary diversity.