The general term for large-scale evolutionary changes that take place over long periods of time is macroevolution. It refers to the processes that result in the formation of new species and higher taxonomic groups.
Punctuated equilibrium is a theory in evolutionary biology that suggests species will often remain stable for long periods of time (equilibrium), with evolutionary changes occurring rapidly (punctuation) in short bursts when they do happen. This concept contrasts with the traditional view of gradual and continuous evolutionary changes over time.
These large scale evolutionary changes that take place over long periods of time are called macroevolution. It involves the evolution of species over geological time scales, leading to the formation of new species and higher taxonomic groups.
Gradualism is the theory that evolutionary change occurs slowly and steadily over time through small, incremental changes in populations. It suggests that large evolutionary transitions are the result of many small changes accumulating over long periods of time. This contrasts with the idea of punctuated equilibrium, which proposes that evolution happens rapidly in short bursts followed by long periods of stasis.
That they are both theories of evolutionary change, but the tempo of the change is different enough that we have the two theories. Rapid evolutionary change punctuated with long periods of stasis describes the former while gradual and incremental change over long periods is the description of the later. Natural selection seems to be more important in gradualism than punctuation, but this is a murky area that is argued about often.
Good ol' punctuated equilibrium.
Macroevolution
Macroevolution
Punctuated equilibrium is a theory in evolutionary biology that suggests species will often remain stable for long periods of time (equilibrium), with evolutionary changes occurring rapidly (punctuation) in short bursts when they do happen. This concept contrasts with the traditional view of gradual and continuous evolutionary changes over time.
Punctuated Evolution or equilibrium
These large scale evolutionary changes that take place over long periods of time are called macroevolution. It involves the evolution of species over geological time scales, leading to the formation of new species and higher taxonomic groups.
Gradualism is the theory that evolutionary change occurs slowly and steadily over time through small, incremental changes in populations. It suggests that large evolutionary transitions are the result of many small changes accumulating over long periods of time. This contrasts with the idea of punctuated equilibrium, which proposes that evolution happens rapidly in short bursts followed by long periods of stasis.
The theory that macroevolution proceeds from gradual microevolutionary changes is often contrasted with punctuated equilibrium, which suggests that evolutionary change occurs rapidly during short periods of speciation, followed by long periods of stasis. While gradualism emphasizes continuous and slow changes over time, punctuated equilibrium posits that most evolutionary changes happen in bursts, with little change in species during long intervals. Both theories aim to explain the patterns observed in the fossil record and the diversity of life, but they offer different mechanisms for how macroevolution occurs.
The punctuated equilibrium model of evolution holds that evolution occurs in spurts, with species evolving relatively rapidly, and then remaining unchanged for long periods.
That they are both theories of evolutionary change, but the tempo of the change is different enough that we have the two theories. Rapid evolutionary change punctuated with long periods of stasis describes the former while gradual and incremental change over long periods is the description of the later. Natural selection seems to be more important in gradualism than punctuation, but this is a murky area that is argued about often.
Good ol' punctuated equilibrium.
The Mesozoic Era is divided into three periods: the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. The Triassic period occurred from about 252 million years ago to 201 million years ago. It was a time of significant evolutionary changes, including the diversification of reptiles and the rise of the dinosaurs.
macroevolution .........novanet