The Founder's Effect is primarily associated with which of the following?

The Founder’s Effect is a key concept in population genetics, specifically related to genetic drift that occurs when a new population is established by a small number of individuals from a larger population. This phenomenon often leads to a reduction in genetic variation compared to the original population because the founders may carry only a small fraction of the genetic diversity present in the larger group.

When a small number of individuals migrate and establish a new population, the alleles they carry may not represent the full genetic makeup of the original population. As this new population grows, the genetic traits present may become more pronounced due to the limited gene pool, potentially leading to an entirely distinct genetic structure. This illustrates how genetic drift can significantly shape the genetics of small populations, especially following colonization, which is precisely what defines the Founder’s Effect.

This concept does not pertain to genetic stability within a population, as it often leads to less genetic stability due to reduced diversity. It also does not directly relate to increased competition among species or symbiotic relationships, which involve interactions between species rather than genetic drift and population genetics.