What type of selection favors individuals at both extremes of a phenotype range?

Disruptive selection is a form of natural selection that favors individuals at both extremes of a phenotype range while selecting against the average or intermediate forms. This type of selection can lead to multiple phenotypes within a population, supporting the existence of two or more distinct groups. In environments where extremes offer greater survival or reproductive advantages, such as when different resources favor differing adaptations, disruptive selection plays a crucial role.

For example, in a scenario where small and large seeds are available but medium-sized seeds are scarce, birds with either very small or very large beaks may be more efficient at feeding than those with medium-sized beaks. By selecting for those individuals at both extremes, the population may diverge and potentially lead to speciation over time.

This concept is important for understanding evolutionary processes and how diverse traits can arise within populations due to varying environmental pressures, fostering adaptability and specialization among species.