Which of the following is NOT a mode of natural selection?

Natural selection refers to the process by which certain traits become more or less common in a population due to their effects on the survival and reproductive success of individuals. The three main modes of natural selection—directional, disruptive, and stabilizing—describe different ways that selection can influence a population's traits.

Directional selection occurs when individuals with traits at one extreme are favored, leading to a shift in the population's traits over time. For example, if a particular environment favors larger size in a species, those individuals are more likely to survive and reproduce, resulting in a population that trendingly grows larger.

Disruptive selection favors individuals at both extremes of a trait spectrum over those with intermediate traits. This mode can lead to the emergence of distinct groups within a population, as those average traits may be less fit in their environment. An example would be a habitat where both very large and very small seeds are available; birds with beaks suited to these extremes might thrive while those with average-sized beaks struggle.

Stabilizing selection operates against extreme phenotypes and favors intermediate traits, which can enhance the likelihood of survival and reproduction in a stable environment. For instance, in certain species, very small or very large offspring might have lower survival rates compared to those