Evolutionarily Stable State

"A population is said to be in an evolutionarily stable state if its genetic composition is restored by selection after a disturbance, provided the disturbance is not too large. Such a population can be genetically monomorphic or polymorphic." --Maynard Smith (1982).

Contrast this with the definition of an evolutionarily stable strategy, which is a game theory concept.

"An ESS or evolutionarily stable strategy is a strategy such that, if all the members of a population adopt it, no mutant strategy can invade." --Maynard Smith (1982).

Read more about Evolutionarily Stable State:  Mathematical Formulation, Properties

Famous quotes containing the words stable and/or state:

    A horse, a buggy and several sets of harness, valued in all at about $250, were stolen last night from the stable of Howard Quinlan, near Kingsville. The county police are at work on the case, but so far no trace of either thieves or booty has been found.
    —H.L. (Henry Lewis)

    A ship is a bit of terra firma cut off from the main; it is a state in itself; and the captain is its king.
    Herman Melville (1819–1891)