Why is stabilizing selection often represented as a modified bell curve?

Stabilizing selection is characterized by the preference for average phenotypes over extreme traits within a population. This leads to a decrease in variation for that specific trait, as individuals with traits that deviate from the average are less likely to survive and reproduce. When graphically represented, this selection results in a modified bell curve, where the peak represents the most common (or average) traits.

In this modified bell curve, the overall shape becomes narrower and taller compared to a regular bell curve, indicating that more individuals in the population possess traits close to the average. The height of the curve signifies the frequency of those traits, with the taller peak showing that the average phenotype is more common due to the favoring nature of stabilizing selection. This visual representation effectively conveys how stabilizing selection works in minimizing extremes and promoting the success of typical trait expressions within a population.