What is a potential outcome of disruptive selection?

Disruptive selection occurs when individuals at both extremes of a trait distribution have a fitness advantage compared to individuals with intermediate traits. This type of selection can lead to speciation, as it fosters the divergence of populations. By favoring extreme traits, individuals may become increasingly different over time, particularly if they inhabit different environments or niches. As these differences accumulate, reproductive isolation may eventually occur, resulting in the emergence of new species.

The process of disruptive selection can create a scenario where populations split into distinct groups that further adapt to their specific environments. This is often accompanied by a reduction in gene flow between the groups, reinforcing their speciation process. The other outcomes listed do not capture the essence of what disruptive selection promotes, which is the divergence of populations rather than the homogenization of traits or a decrease in variation.