What is punctuated equilibrium?
A) another word for phyletic gradualism
B) the idea that species remain stable for long periods, then evolve rapidly
C) the idea that new species originate from small changes
D) a phenomenon that occurs in divergent, but not convergent, evolution
E) an idea that would garner more support if missing fossil links could be found

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Punctuated equilibrium is the hypothesis that species remain relatively stable for long periods of time, called stasis, and then evolve rapidly during short periods of time, called punctuations. This is in contrast to the idea of phyletic gradualism, which suggests that species evolve slowly and gradually over long periods of time.

What Is Punctuated Equilibrium