What type of selection can lead to the development of distinct subpopulations within a species?

Disruptive selection is a form of natural selection that favors individuals at both extremes of a phenotypic spectrum, leading to a divergence in traits within a population. This process can result in the development of distinct subpopulations, as individuals with intermediate traits may be selected against. Over time, this can cause the population to split into two or more groups that adapt to different environmental niches or resource uses, enhancing reproductive isolation and potentially leading to speciation.

In contrast, stabilizing selection tends to favor average traits and reduces variation in a population, thus maintaining a stable phenotype rather than creating subpopulations. Directional selection favors traits in a specific direction, which can change the overall characteristics of a population but does not typically lead to distinct subpopulations. Sexual selection, while it can lead to differences in traits based on mate preference, is more about reproductive success and less about creating subpopulations based on environmental adaptation.