Which chromosomal abnormality can lead to greater genetic diversity?

Duplication is a chromosomal abnormality that can increase genetic diversity by creating additional copies of specific genes. This process allows for the potential for greater variation in traits since extra gene copies can undergo mutations and potentially acquire new functions, leading to novel traits that can be acted upon by natural selection. Duplicated genes can evolve independently, which contributes to genetic diversity over time as these changes may benefit an organism's adaptability to different environments or circumstances.

On the other hand, deletions remove genetic material and typically reduce genetic diversity by eliminating genes entirely. Inversions rearrange genetic sequences but don’t add any new genetic information, thus having a neutral effect on diversity. Translocations involve the rearrangement of parts between non-homologous chromosomes but also do not increase the overall gene count and can even lead to harmful effects in some cases. Therefore, among these options, duplication stands out as the mechanism that fosters greater genetic diversity within populations.