Mutation, genetic drift, gene flow and the driver of adaptive change, natural selection.
evolution because it makes the most sense
The term itself refers to the gradual shift of something over time. More specifically, in biology it refers to the gradual shift in traits in a population as caused by natural selection. Traits which are harmful or cause an organism to have a decreased chance to survive are 'selected against' in that they are less likely to pass on those traits. Likewise, traits which are beneficial cause there to be an increased chance the organism will survive to pass on it's traits.
The theory of evolution. Please see the related links.
Evolution
In fact, there are no such things as "evolutionary stages". Evolution, even in the model of punctuated equilibria, is a continuous and gradual process.
A gradual change in life-forms over time is organic evolution.
ecological succession
The gradual change in the characteristics of a species over time is called evolution. The theory of evolution by natural selection was first proposed by Charles Darwin.
evolution
Evolution
evolution
evolution
evolution
Punctuated equilibrium is commonly contrasted against phyletic gradualism, the belief that evolution generally occurs uniformly and by the steady and gradual transformation of whole lineages (called anagenesis). In this view, evolution is seen as generally smooth and continuous.
evolution because it makes the most sense
No. It is a word that means the gradual change over time of something, such as human evolution over thousands of years.
Changes over species over long periods of time is known as evolution.