Disruptive selection can influence which type of speciation?

Disruptive selection can strongly influence sympatric speciation because this type of selection occurs when environmental conditions favor extreme phenotypes over intermediate phenotypes. In sympatric speciation, populations that coexist in the same geographical area can diverge into separate species due to distinct ecological niches or resource utilization.

When disruptive selection is at play, individuals with traits on the extremes of the spectrum may have advantages that allow them to exploit different resources or adapt to varying conditions. This divergence can lead to reproductive isolation over time, even if the populations remain in close proximity. As a result, the genetic variation that disrupts the intermediate phenotypes can lead to the formation of new species from a single ancestral population within the same environment.

In contrast, allopatric speciation typically occurs due to geographic separation, while peripatric speciation involves a small population becoming isolated, often on the fringes of a larger population. Instant speciation, while debated, suggests speciation can happen quickly, but it is typically not directly related to the influence of disruptive selection. Therefore, the best alignment of disruptive selection's effects is seen in the context of sympatric speciation.