Question

What distinguishes disruptive and directional selection pressures when both select for extreme genetic traits?

Answer 1

While directional selection selects for extreme variation of one genetic trait in a population, disruptive selection selects for both extremes. Disruptive selection eliminates intermediate traits leading to selection at either extreme. Directional selection, meanwhile, preferentially selects for individuals expressing the extreme trait.

Answer 2

Yes both are different. In directional selection one of the extreme traits is favored, whereas in disruptive selection both the extreme traits are favored.

Step-by-step explanation:

Directional: If selection acts to eliminate one extreme form and supports the other extreme then the peak shifts in the direction which is selected by the nature.

Disruptive: If the selection does not favor the mean character value, rather favors both the peripheral character values then this kind of selection is called disruptive selection.