What factor(s) can increase genetic diversity within a population? Does it/do they act on both the small and large populations?. Earth & Marine Sciences

Mutation will act to increase diversity within a population and is the ultimate source of new alleles. It will occur in both the small and large populations. (Note: Mutation is of great importance as a source of novel alleles, but makes an insignificant contribution to genetic diversity unless the new alleles increase in frequency due to drift or selection.) Disruptive selection can also act to increase genetic diversity in a population, favoring both extremes in a distribution.