Suggests species remain stable for long periods interrupted by short bursts of rapid change.
Eldredge and Gould (1972) proposed that fossils often show long stability and rapid change coinciding with speciation, rather than gradual change. Some lineages show both patterns.
It is compatible with Darwinian selection, which can operate quickly on geological timescales.
Suggests species remain stable for long periods interrupted by short bursts of rapid change.
Punctuated Equilibrium is one of the 53 topics in Evolution. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Macroevolution, Adaptive Radiation, Variation and Selection Pressure.
Certain trilobites and bryozoans show stasis with abrupt changes.
Work through the Beginner topics in Evolution first, such as Evolution, Natural Selection, Charles Darwin, then return to Punctuated Equilibrium. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
The closest topics to Punctuated Equilibrium are Macroevolution, Adaptive Radiation, Variation and Selection Pressure, Charles Darwin. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Punctuated Equilibrium. To practise the whole of Evolution, use the Evolution quiz.
Punctuated Equilibrium: Suggests species remain stable for long periods interrupted by short bursts of rapid change. Macroevolution: Evolutionary patterns above the species level, including origins of major groups and mass extinctions. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Macroevolution and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Evolution quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Evolutionary patterns above the species level, including origins of major groups and mass extinctions.
🦎 EvolutionRapid diversification of a lineage into many forms filling different niches, as with Hawaiian honeycreepers.
🦎 EvolutionEnvironmental factors like predators or climate that favour certain heritable variants over others.
🦎 EvolutionThe naturalist who proposed natural selection in On the Origin of Species in 1859 after the Beagle voyage.
🦎 Evolution