founder effect

American  

noun

Biology.

1. the accumulation of random genetic changes in an isolated population as a result of its proliferation from only a few parent colonizers.

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Example Sentences

Secondly, the findings contradict theories that argue that, on islands, the founder effect -- the process of colonization by a small number of individuals -- leads to a reduction in selective pressure and, as a result, genomes should be larger and richer in repetitive elements.

From Science Daily

In isolated populations like Sardinia’s, where inbreeding was common, such rare variants can become more frequent, a phenomenon called the founder effect.

From Science Magazine

I think the only reason we’re so infatuated with the PCR test is because it’s a founder effect.

From Slate

That could be a founder effect, in which the initial group included fewer fertile males than females.

From Science Magazine

“The odds would be against having it be a founder effect or some behavioral issue in each new country, where we know the restrictions and the behaviors are so different,” she said.

From Seattle Times