Which type of natural selection favors individuals at both extreme ends of a phenotypic distribution while selecting against intermediate phenotypes, potentially leading to speciation?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Disruptive selection splits a population into two distinct phenotypic groups by favoring extreme variants and penalizing intermediate forms, which can reduce gene flow and promote sympatric speciation. Stabilizing selection favors average phenotypes by weeding out extreme variations in a constant environment. Directional selection shifts population averages toward one phenotypic extreme in response to environmental changes. Balancing selection maintains genetic diversity through heterozygote advantage or frequency-dependent mechanisms.