Question

in a bird population, 50% of the individuals had white feathers, and 50% had colored feathers. over time, it was observed that 98% of the population had colorful feathers. the rest had white feathers. how did the type of selection in this example affect the populations biodiversity?
directional selection did not increase the populations biodiversity.
stabilizing selection increased the populations biodiversity.
disruptive selection decreased the populations biodiversity.
ecosystem selection did not increase the populations biodiversity.

Explanation:

• Directional selection: Favors one extreme phenotype. Here, colored feathers (one extreme) became more common. Biodiversity is about variety. With one phenotype (colored) dominating, there's no increase in biodiversity.
• Stabilizing selection: Favors the intermediate phenotype. Not the case here as we are moving towards one extreme (colored feathers).
• Disruptive selection: Favors both extreme phenotypes. But we see only one extreme (colored) becoming dominant.
• Ecosystem selection is not a standard type of natural selection in evolutionary biology.

Answer:

Directional selection did not increase the population's biodiversity.