Founder effect
- Pronunciation
- /FOW-nd-er eh-FECT/
- Category
- Population Genetics
Definition
A reduction in genetic diversity within a population that occurs when a small number of individuals establish a new population, carrying with them only a limited subset of the original population's genetic variation.
Etymology
Named after the founder effect in population genetics, which describes the loss of genetic diversity due to a small founding population.
Example
The founder effect is often observed in island populations, where a small number of individuals colonize the island and their limited genetic diversity leads to unique traits in the island population.
Related Terms
- Genetic drift
- Population bottleneck