Scientists have a very complete fossil record showing the evolution of horses over millions of years,with the legs becoming longer and the teeth larger as ancestors of the modern horse adapted from living in forest to grasslands.This is an example of ____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The gradual changes seen in the evolution of horses, with adaptations over time to grasslands, is a clear example of gradualism. It is not punctuated equilibrium, as there is no evidence of sudden bursts of change followed by long periods of stability. It is not extinction, as the evolution of horses is a story of success and expansion. Adaptive radiation could be a possible option, but it typically refers to the evolution of multiple species from a common ancestor, whereas the evolution of horses is a single lineage. Prezygotic barriers are mechanisms that prevent the formation of viable offspring, and are not applicable in this example.

Scientists Have a Very Complete Fossil Record Showing the Evolution