Certain small towns in the western United States have remained isolated and inbred since their settlement many years ago. Some alleles are more common in these communities as compared to the rest of the population. This effect is known as

A) artificial selection

B) directional selection

C) disrupting selection

D) Hardy-Weinberg principle

E) founder principle

The correct answer will be option - E

Explanation:

The founder effect is the effect observed on the gene pool when a new isolated population is founded by the individuals migrated from the larger population. After migration, they inbred among them which changes the genetic pool of the small population.

In the given question since the population of the small town remained isolated from the American population and inbred among them, therefore, changed the genetic pool of the population.

Thus, the founder effect is the correct answer.