Discontinuous variation refers to the type of variation where there are distinct categories or groups of phenotypic traits, and there are no intermediates or intermediate variations in between those categories. In other words, traits that exhibit discontinuous variation are either present or absent in an individual or organism, with no gradual or continuous change between the options. This type of variation is governed by genes and often follows Mendelian inheritance patterns. Examples of traits that show discontinuous variation include blood types, the presence or absence of certain genetic disorders, or the color of flowers in some plants.
