Question

Identify why disruptive selection is a conducive mechanism to result in sympatric speciation:

A. Disruptive selection leads to a decrease in genetic diversity.
B. Disruptive selection encourages the fusion of populations.
C. Disruptive selection favors extreme phenotypes, potentially leading to reproductive isolation.
D. Disruptive selection primarily affects geographic isolation.

Answer 1

Disruptive selection fosters sympatric speciation by favoring extreme phenotypes, potentially causing reproductive isolation and forming new species within the same habitat.

Step-by-step explanation:

Disruptive selection is conducive to sympatric speciation because it favors extreme phenotypes, potentially leading to reproductive isolation. This form of natural selection encourages divergence within a population which shares the same habitat, without the need for geographic separation. Since disruptive selection rewards individuals with extreme traits that are fit for different niches or strategies, it can result in the formation of distinct subgroups within a population. These subgroups may eventually develop reproductive isolating mechanisms, such as differences in mating preferences or times, which can further encourage the evolution of new species.