founder effect

English

Noun

founder effect (plural founder effects)

  1. (genetics, evolutionary theory) A reduction in genetic diversity resulting when a population is descended from a small number of colonizing ancestors.
    • 2006 November 20, Judy Pasternak, “Oases in Navajo Desert Contained 'A Witch's Brew'”, in Los Angeles Times‎[1], Los Angeles, Calif.: Los Angeles Times Communications, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 10 October 2026:
      The view that Navajo neuropathy was purely inherited continued to have its adherents. It did seem logical. There were multiple cases within families. The syndrome had appeared suddenly, the way a “founder effect” disease might.

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