Search Dictionary



Version history

Natural selection

Natural selection is unequal successful reproduction due to heritable differences in their phenotypes.

Natural selection is the main driving force of evolution along with genetic drift and horizontal gene transfer.

Based on the favored phenotypes, natural selection is classified into directional selection, stabilizing selection, and disruptive (diversifying) selection.

Public comain image showing natural selection

Definitions in the literature

  • Differential survival and reproduction of individuals of a population based on differences in shared, heritable traits. Driven by environmental pressures [1].
  • The process that, according to Darwinism, brings about the evolution of new species of animals and plants [2].
  • unequal survival and reproduction of organisms due to heritable differences in their phenotypes, with the result that better adapted phenotypes become more common in the population [3].
  • Differential reproduction of individuals with different genotypes [4].

Also see:

Images

Click to see full-size images. All images are Public Domain.

  • Full-size image of natural selection

    Full-size version of the above natural selection image.