Here's how it works:
* Favors the average: Stabilizing selection selects against extreme phenotypes (traits) and favors individuals with traits closest to the average.
* Reduces variation: This type of selection reduces the overall variation within a population, making the population more homogeneous.
* Example: Imagine a population of birds where beak size is a key trait. If the environment favors birds with medium-sized beaks (for efficient seed cracking), stabilizing selection will eliminate birds with very small or very large beaks. This keeps the population's average beak size stable.
Other types of natural selection include:
* Directional Selection: Favors one extreme phenotype, shifting the population's average towards that extreme.
* Disruptive Selection: Favors both extreme phenotypes, leading to a bimodal distribution of traits and potentially even speciation.
