The punctuated equilibrium model of evolution suggests that new species appear
A) gradually; as groups become isolated, they slowly evolve through their own individual pathways.
B) only after older species disappear from the fossil record.
C) suddenly after long periods of time with little to no change.
D) gradually after long periods of time with little to no change; as groups become isolated, they slowly evolve through their own individual pathways.
E) gradually over very short periods of time so that intermediate species are often observed in the fossil record. In the punctuated model of evolution, a species remains fairly stable for long periods of time, which are suddenly punctuated by rapid spurts of evolution where new species appear. This suggests that intermediate, or transitional, species are rare, and are thus seldom found in the fossil record.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The punctuated equilibrium model of evolution suggests that new species appear suddenly after long periods of time with little to no change. This is in contrast to the gradualism model of evolution which proposes that species evolve gradually through small, incremental changes over long periods of time. In the punctuated equilibrium model, long periods of stasis are interrupted by short bursts of relatively rapid evolutionary change.

The Punctuated Equilibrium Model of Evolution Suggests That New Species