22nd Annual Student Research Conference
Punctuated Equilibrium and Phyletic Gradualism as Models of Evolution
Daniel P. Quinn
Dr. Jonathan C. Gering, Faculty Mentor
Punctuated Equilibrium (as proposed by Niles Eldredge and Stephen J. Gould), and Phyletic Gradualism are not mutually exclusive models of evolution. Both models suggest species change over time due to natural selection acting on individuals in the population. The only difference between the two models is the rate of timing of evolutionary changes within species. Punctuated Equilibrium suggests that species undergo long periods of stasis punctuated by relatively rapid change. Phyletic Gradualism suggests that populations change at a relatively constant rate. The frequency of evolutionary occurrences within several species has been explored, and sufficient evidence has been gathered to support both models of evolution. That is, we see both examples with direct fossil evidence of both Punctuated Equilibrium and Phyletic Gradualism.
Keywords: Phyletic Gradualism, Punctuated Equilibrium, Niles Eldredge, Gould
Topic(s):Darwin Bicentennial
Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 2-2
Location: PML
Time: 4:15