Summary
Selection favouring both extremes over the average, which may lead to divergence.
In depth
Both extremes are favoured, and the mean is selected against, so the distribution becomes bimodal. It may start sympatric speciation.
Disruptive Selection
Use cases
- Real-world example: African seedcracker finches have two bill sizes suited for hard or soft seeds, with few intermediates.
- Study use: Compare Disruptive Selection with Stabilising Selection and Natural Selection to see how these related ideas fit together in Evolution.
- Self-check: You are ready to move on when you can explain Disruptive Selection without looking, and say how it links to Stabilising Selection.
Frequently asked questions
What is Disruptive Selection?
Selection favouring both extremes over the average, which may lead to divergence.
Which area of biology covers Disruptive Selection, and how advanced is it?
Disruptive Selection is one of the 53 topics in Evolution. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Stabilising Selection, Natural Selection, Sympatric Speciation.
Can you give an example of Disruptive Selection?
African seedcracker finches have two bill sizes suited for hard or soft seeds, with few intermediates.
What should I learn before Disruptive Selection?
Work through the Beginner topics in Evolution first, such as Evolution, Natural Selection, Charles Darwin, then return to Disruptive Selection. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
What topics are related to Disruptive Selection?
The closest topics to Disruptive Selection are Stabilising Selection, Natural Selection, Sympatric Speciation, Directional Selection. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Disruptive Selection?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Disruptive Selection. To practise the whole of Evolution, use the Evolution quiz.
How is Disruptive Selection different from Stabilising Selection?
Disruptive Selection: Selection favouring both extremes over the average, which may lead to divergence. Stabilising Selection: Selection favouring intermediate phenotypes, as seen in human birth weight. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Disruptive Selection step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Stabilising Selection and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Evolution quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Related topics
Intermediate
Stabilising Selection
Selection favouring intermediate phenotypes, as seen in human birth weight.
🦎 EvolutionBeginner
Natural Selection
Individuals with traits better suited to their environment survive and reproduce more, passing those traits on.
🦎 EvolutionIntermediate
Sympatric Speciation
New species arising within the same area, often through polyploidy or ecological specialisation.
🦎 EvolutionIntermediate
Directional Selection
Selection favouring one extreme phenotype, shifting the population mean in one direction.
🦎 Evolution