What primarily results from the founder effect?

The founder effect occurs when a small group of individuals breaks off from a larger population and establishes a new, isolated population. This small founding population may not carry all the genetic variation present in the original population, leading to a distinct set of genetic traits in the new population. Over time, these traits may become prevalent due to genetic drift and the limited gene pool. As a result, the isolated population often exhibits unique genetic characteristics that differ from those of the parent population, establishing a distinct genetic identity. This phenomenon illustrates how geographical or social isolation can lead to significant divergence in the genetic makeup of populations.