The Concepts of Phyletic Gradualism and Punctuated Equilibrium - Research Paper Example

Concepts of Phyletic Gradualism and Punctuated Equilibrium: The concept of phyletic gradualism was developed by Charles Darwin and supports the fact that the evolutionary process and speciation occurred gradually. On the other hand, the concept of punctuated equilibrium supports the fact that the process of evolution had been a rapid process and this concept was suggested by the naturalists, N. Eldredge and S.J. Gould. Although both the techniques tend to involve similar mechanisms of allopatric, parapatric, and sympatric speciation, yet the difference occurs in the rates of changes that have been suggested by the theorists.

It is still a continuing study that might be able to determine which model had actually supported the evolutionary process. It has been realized that complete records of fossils would be able to assist such a study. According to the punctuated equilibrium theory, modifications occurred in the evolutionary process in smaller levels and were separated over longer periods of time. It was termed as punctuated equilibrium as it reflected “periods of stasis punctuated by rapid evolutionary change” (Shukla, 2009, pp.28-29). Thus the two theories represent two different concepts regarding the process of evolution. . Based on this concept it could be obtained that if new species were developing in an allotropical manner and in small secluded levels, it could be suggested that speciation might have occurred.

Before this new species leaves fossils record in the location of its antecedent, it could be observed that they had fully developed. Such transitions would not be recorded at the concerned location since the fossils would remain incomplete indicating the occurrence of an evolution. The concept of stabilizing selection was used to explain stasis as obtained through the fossil records (Ridley, 2004, p.599). Processes of Rapid Evolution: Two processes that can explain the production of rapid evolution are the processes of polyploidy and RNA Recoding.

Polyploidy in the botanical environment provides the mechanism that proves that evolution can occur in a rapid manner thus leading to speciation in a single generation. Allopolyploidy is another related process that represents similar possibility of speciation within a particular generation. With the passage of time, this process has also proved its significance in the animal kingdom as well as among the insects proving rapid evolution. RNA Recoding is the other process that involves the ribosomes influencing the synthesis of proteins in the body that created rapid speciation in the process of evolution (Corey, 1994, pp.283-285). As described by the supporters of punctuated equilibrium, it can be understood that the change from one evolution to another leads to the periods of rapid speciation to be followed by periods of relative stasis.

The primary factors responsible in the process reflect the “macroevolutionary forces of change” present in the evolutionary society on earth (Prentiss,