Gradualism and punctuated equilibrium are modes of evolutionary change from "summary" of The Structure of Evolutionary Theory by Stephen Jay Gould
Gradualism and punctuated equilibrium represent two contrasting modes of evolutionary change. Gradualism posits that evolution proceeds steadily and continuously over long periods of time, with small, incremental changes accumulating to produce large-scale transformations. This model, often associated with Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection, envisions a gradual and smooth progression from one form to another. Punctuated equilibrium, on the other hand, challenges the notion of gradualism by proposing that evolutionary change occurs in bursts of rapid speciation followed by long periods of stasis. This model, developed by Niles Eldredge and Stephen Jay Gould, suggests that species remain relatively stable for extended periods before experiencing sudden bursts of change that result in the formation of new species. The debat...
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