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Q: What states that the fossil record shows long periods of stability and short periods of rapid evolution?
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What is fossil record?

The fossil record is the information about the fossils found in a particular location.


What are the 4 broad categories of evidence used to support evolution?

The fossil record, computational genomics, vestigial genes/structures, biogeographical distribution of species, comparative anatomy, and direct observation


What do gradualism and punctuated equilibria have to do with evolution?

Gradualism was key to the early iterations of evolutionary theory, as proposed by Charles Darwin. Darwin's belief was that evolution was a uniformly gradual process, and that the fossil record would reflect this. Of course, it turned out that evolution is not a uniformly gradual process, but that the rates at which morphologies change can vary enormously, giving rise to punctuated equilibria: long periods of relatively slow change punctuated by short periods of rapid change.It should be noted that although gradualism has been rejected, evolution is still a gradual process, any significant change in morphologies usually taking at least thousands of generations to manifest (although there is no natural law preventing morphological divergence to occur even more rapidly).


What does gradualism have to with evolution?

Gradualism was key to the early iterations of evolutionary theory, as proposed by Charles Darwin. Darwin's belief was that evolution was a uniformly gradual process, and that the fossil record would reflect this. Of course, it turned out that evolution is not a uniformly gradual process, but that the rates at which morphologies change can vary enormously, giving rise to punctuated equilibria: long periods of relatively slow change punctuated by short periods of rapid change.It should be noted that although gradualism has been rejected, evolution is still a gradual process, any significant change in morphologies usually taking at least thousands of generations to manifest (although there is no natural law preventing morphological divergence to occur even more rapidly).


What provides evidence for evolution?

The fossil record, although not complete, provides a lot of evidence. There is also supporting evidence from geological studies, and the extensive human and nonhuman genome studies that are currently being done.

Related questions

What does the fossil record about the evolution of life on Earth?

years


What does the fossil record reveal about the evolution life on Earth?

years


Is the fossil record of evolution of a species usually complete?

Yes


What the fossil record reveal about the evolution of life on earth?

years


What does the fossil record reveal about the evolution of the life on Earth?

years


What do scientists use to study macro evolution?

The fossil record


What two major developments helped scientists explain the fossil record?

The principle of fossil succession and the theory of evolution have helped scientists explain the fossil record.


What do fossil forms of evolution show?

The transition of phyla of organisms over time. That is the great strength of the fossil record; evolution shown in the sedimentary rock.


What do scientist use often to study macro evolution?

The fossil record


How is evolution documented?

Evolution is documented in both realtime experimental and observational data, as well as in the fossil and genomic record.


What theory does the fossil record support?

It is generally thought to support the Theory of Evolution.


Which is not the process in the formation of sedimentary rocks?

how does the fossil record provide evidence for evolution?!