Disruptive selection can lead to which of the following outcomes?

Disruptive selection is a type of natural selection that favors individuals at both extremes of a trait over those with intermediate traits. This occurs in environments where extremes offer a greater advantage for survival and reproduction. As a result, the population may experience an increase in the frequency of traits that are either very high or very low, rather than those that are average. This selection pressure can create two distinct subgroups within a population that adapt differently to their environment.

Option C accurately reflects the potential outcome of disruptive selection, as it can lead to speciation. When individuals with extreme traits thrive and form subpopulations, the genetic divergence between these groups may increase, especially if they begin to occupy different niches or if reproductive isolation occurs over time. The accumulation of differences that enhance survival in distinct environments can lead to the formation of new species.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the outcomes typically associated with disruptive selection. For example, increased average trait frequency would suggest that intermediate traits are favored, which is not the case in disruptive selection. Similarly, reduction of genetic variation usually occurs under stabilizing selection, where average traits are favored. Lastly, stabilization of average traits is also characteristic of stabilizing selection, which works against extremes rather than favoring them