Selection

From EvoWiki

Theory of Evolution > Selection

Any process that causes differential reproduction is a selection process. Most evolutionary biologists differentiate selection from drift.

It should be noted that many processes alter the composition of populations without acting via differential reproduction (i.e. selection). Such processes include mutation, meiotic drive, and random environmental effects. The first two of these processes act on the genotypes of future generations, while the third acts on phenotypes.

[edit] Types of Selection

• Natural selection
• Sexual selection
• Artificial selection
• Stabilizing selection
• Kin selection
• Frequency-dependent selection
• Density-dependent selection

[edit] Selection and Information

Creationists argue that selection continuously removes genetic information from a population. This can sometimes be the case, such as when selection decreases diversity (for example, selection bringing an advantageous mutation to fixation). Selection can also increase diversity (for example, frequency-dependent selection where the minority type is advantaged) in some cases.