Punctuated versus Gradual Mode of Evolution

摘要: The concept of punctuated equilibria (Eldredge and Gould, 1972; Gould Eldredge, 1977) continues to attract the attention evolutionary biologists paleontologists (Bock, 1979; Stanley, Levinton Simon, 1980; Hoffman, 1981; Mahe Devillers, Schopf, 1981a). This is so not only because its heterodox appearance, contradicting paleontologic folk wisdom that views species as transforming gradually into new species. attractiveness punctuationalism first all due far-reaching implications for study macroevolution, since dismissal old gradualistic forces us invoke some biologic principles and/or mechanisms account macroevolutionary change. Most commonly, epigenetics development are referred in this context (Gould, 1980, 1982; Alberch, Maderson et al, Rachootin Thomson, 1981). To explain large-scale trends theory selection has been put forth. It claims major features biosphere (e.g., numerical prevalence sexual over asexual species, competitive exclusion taxa geologic time, etc.) be explained by evolution populations through natural selection, but rather differential extinction speciation rates various lineages (Stanley, 1975; 1977; Vrba, Gilinsky,