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the claim

Frequency-dependent selection maintains traits that are advantageous only when rare

the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
Recorded sources
6 sources for · 0 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Is it true that frequency-dependent selection maintains traits that are advantageous only when rare?

Yes. Frequency-dependent selection, particularly in its negative form, is well-established as a key evolutionary mechanism that grants advantages to rare phenotypes, thereby preserving genetic and phenotypic diversity within populations.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 6 sources for, 0 against · Last checked

The analysis

The claim is specific, testable, and directly addressed by multiple theoretical and empirical papers confirming that negative frequency-dependent selection (and balancing selection more broadly) maintains advantageous rare traits and polymorphisms.

Evidence for · 6
Evolution is exponentially more powerful with frequency-dependent selection
2020
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Kaznatcheev, A. (2020). Evolution is exponentially more powerful with frequency-dependent selection. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.03.075069

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More for · 5
A century of theories of balancing selection.
2026
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F, R., MK, Z., D, G., H, K., XY, L. R., IR, M., S, N., C, O., EI, S., P, C., & T, C. (2026). A century of theories of balancing selection.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.70103

Positive and negative frequency-dependent selection acting on polymorphism in a palatable moth
2023
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Poloni, R., Dhennin, M., Mappes, J., Joron, M., & Nokelainen, O. (2023). Positive and negative frequency-dependent selection acting on polymorphism in a palatable moth. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.04.13.536688

Repeated signatures of balancing selection in small and large populations of guppies (Poecilia reticulata).
2026
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JR, P., JR, W., J, F. O., KA, H., & BA, F. (2026). Repeated signatures of balancing selection in small and large populations of guppies (Poecilia reticulata).. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2025.0174

Negative frequency-dependent selection is frequently confounding
2017
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Brisson, D. (2017). Negative frequency-dependent selection is frequently confounding. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1101/113324

Hypotheses for the Adaptive Maintenance of Phenotypic Polymorphisms.
2026
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JJ, F., MS, W., & DR, R. (2026). Hypotheses for the Adaptive Maintenance of Phenotypic Polymorphisms.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.73493

What does the evidence say?

The claim is specific, testable, and directly addressed by multiple theoretical and empirical papers confirming that negative frequency-dependent selection (and balancing selection more broadly) maintains advantageous rare traits and polymorphisms.

Receipt History
first checked04 Aug 2026
judged → SUPPORTED · 8104 Aug 2026
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