What does the term "stabilizing selection" refer to in evolutionary biology?

Stabilizing selection refers to a type of natural selection that favors intermediate phenotypes over extreme ones. This selection process reduces variation in a trait and maintains a certain average phenotype within a population. For instance, in a population of birds, those with very small or very large beaks might struggle to find food compared to those with average-sized beaks that are more efficient at accessing a wider range of food sources. By favoring individuals with traits that are closer to the average, stabilizing selection helps to promote consistency in the population while weeds out the less fit extreme phenotypes.

Overall, stabilizing selection plays a crucial role in ensuring that populations remain well-adapted to their environments by preserving the necessary traits that contribute to survival and reproduction.