Phyletic Gradualism
Colorado Technical university | Sci210-1104B-11 | Phase 2 – Individual Project | | Deanna Filkins | 11/27/2011 |
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Phyletic gradualism is the theory that one species changes to another by combining the better genetic features of the species and these genetics mutate and result in an entirely different species. This change is slow and gradual and most often occurs in small populations. The species changes a little at a time over a certain period until it no longer has any traits of its ancestors. Thus, it becomes a new species. There are gaps in the fossil record which have raised many questions to the validity of this theory.
One example believed to be a result of phyletic gradualism is the foraminiferans. This tiny marine species remained the same from 10 million to 6 million years ago. They then began a gradual change which lasted approximately 600,000 years. At this point they were a totally different species from their ancestors. (Dictionary, 2009) Another example is found in rocks that dated at approximately 370 million years old, only sea creatures are found. However, in 1998, scientists found a fossilized fin that had 8 digits and the appearance was similar to the fingers on a human hand. This fossilized fin was determined to be 370 million years old. (The Biologos Foundation, 2011). There is no doubt the fin was that of a sea creature, but the fossil is strong evidence of a gradually changing form. These examples are few and far between. There is very little evidence which supports phyletic gradualism due to no intermediate species being found in the fossil record. Punctuated equilibrium is a theory that evolution is characterized by long periods of stability in the characteristics of an organism and short periods of rapid change during which new forms appear, especially from small subpopulations of the ancestral form in restricted parts of its geographic range. (Merrium-Webster, 1978). Tribolites, ancient arthropods,
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Phyletic gradualism is the theory that one species changes to another by combining the better genetic features of the species and these genetics mutate and result in an entirely different species. This change is slow and gradual and most often occurs in small populations. The species changes a little at a time over a certain period until it no longer has any traits of its ancestors. Thus, it becomes a new species. There are gaps in the fossil record which have raised many questions to the validity of this theory.
One example believed to be a result of phyletic gradualism is the foraminiferans. This tiny marine species remained the same from 10 million to 6 million years ago. They then began a gradual change which lasted approximately 600,000 years. At this point they were a totally different species from their ancestors. (Dictionary, 2009) Another example is found in rocks that dated at approximately 370 million years old, only sea creatures are found. However, in 1998, scientists found a fossilized fin that had 8 digits and the appearance was similar to the fingers on a human hand. This fossilized fin was determined to be 370 million years old. (The Biologos Foundation, 2011). There is no doubt the fin was that of a sea creature, but the fossil is strong evidence of a gradually changing form. These examples are few and far between. There is very little evidence which supports phyletic gradualism due to no intermediate species being found in the fossil record. Punctuated equilibrium is a theory that evolution is characterized by long periods of stability in the characteristics of an organism and short periods of rapid change during which new forms appear, especially from small subpopulations of the ancestral form in restricted parts of its geographic range. (Merrium-Webster, 1978). Tribolites, ancient arthropods,
Bibliography: Merrium-Webster Dictionary. (1978). Retrieved November 2011, 2011, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punctuated%20equilibrium eNotes. (2003). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from Fossil Record: http://www.enotes.com/fossil-record-reference/fossil-record Dictionary. (2009, April 13). Biology Online. Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Phyletic_gradualism Foundation, T. B. (2011). What does the fossil record show? Retrieved November 28, 2011, from The Biologos Forum: http://biologos.org/questions/fossil-record Lienhard, J. (1988). No. 2496 - Tribolites. Houston: The Engines of Our Ingenuity. O 'Neil, D. (2011, August 8). Micro and Macro Evolution. Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://anthro.palomar.edu/synthetic/synth_9.htm