What type of selection does your graph represent?

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Question: What type of selection does your graph represent?
Options:
- Directional
- Disruptive
- Stabilizing
- Unable to determine

Option 1 (Directional): A directional selection pattern typically shows a shift in the average phenotype in one direction, resulting in a data distribution that moves toward one extreme over time. If the graph instead displays two opposing peaks or a loss of or maintenance of extreme phenotypes rather than a consistent shift, this option would be inconsistent with a two-peak extreme pattern. In other words, directional selection usually does not produce two distinct high-frequency extremes; it tends to favor one end, so this option would be incorrect if the graph clearly demonstrates extremes on both ends.

Option 2 (Disruptive): Disruptive selection favors individuals at both extremes of the trait distribution, often creating or highlighting two distinct peaks far from the mean and reducing fitness in individuals near the center. If the graph shows elevated frequencies at both low and high trait values with a dip in the middle, this aligns with disruptive selection. This would explain why the graph presents two separate extreme clusters rather than a single central cluster, making this option appropriate when such a bimodal pattern is evident.

Option 3 (Stabilizing): Stabilizing selection tends to reduce variation around a central optimal value, producing a peak near the mean and fewer individuals at the tails. A unimodal distribution tightly clustered around the middle, with fewer extremes, would point to stabilizing selection. If the graph instead shows pronounced extremes rather than a tight central peak, this option would be incorrect.

Option 4 (Unable to determine): This choice would be considered if the graph were ambiguous or lacked enough information to judge the pattern of selection. If the visual data clearly reveals two distinct extremes, then this option would not apply. Conversely, if the graph truly did not convey enough information to distinguish between models of selection, this option could be reasonable. However, the presence of a clear bimodal or two-peak pattern in the graph would typically rule this out, indicating a specific type of selection.

Summary: The central distinction hinges on the distribution shape depicted. A clear bimodal pattern with high frequencies at both trait extremes supports disruptive selection, whereas a single central peak would point to stabilizing, and a shift toward one end would indicate directional selection. If the graph is ambiguous, the unable-to-determine option could be considered, but a definite bimodal pattern strengthens the case for disruption rather than the other forms of selection.

APBIO142-030 with labs S23 - Assignment: Population Evolution

What type of selection does your graph represent?

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