What type of selection on phenotypes is this?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To determine the type of selection affecting the phenotype, I’ll evaluate how the graph relates to the three classic patterns of selection.
Option 1: Directional. This occurs when one extreme phenotype is favored over the other, shifting the population mean in one direction. The diagram, however, shows the mean staying roughly centered and both tails being selected against, not a shift toward an extreme. So directional selection is not supported here.
Option 2: Stabilizing. This form of selection favors intermediate phenotypes and disfavors extreme variants. The image depicts a peak in the middle of the distribution with the dashed line (the original population) becoming narrower and higher after selection, while the tails are reduced. This precisely illustrates stabilizing selection, where individuals near the average have higher fitness.
Option 3: Disruptive. Disruptive selection favors the extremes and disfavors intermediate phenotypes, leading to a bimodal distribution with two peaks. The provided figure shows a single central peak after selection, not two peaks, so disruptive selection is inconsistent with the illustration.
In summary, the visual evidence aligns with stabilizing selection, as intermediates are favored and both extremes are selected against, narrowing the distribution around the mean. Therefore, the correct choice is Stabilizing.

What type of selection on phenotypes is this?

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