Tag: Speciation
-
Punctuated Equilibrium
Punctuated Equilibrium, introduced by Gould and Eldredge in 1972, proposes that species evolution features long periods of stability, punctuated by brief, rapid changes. Supported by fossil record patterns, it contrasts with traditional views of continuous, gradual evolution and has influenced multiple academic fields.
-
Evolutionary Capacitance
Evolutionary capacitance pertains to an organism’s ability to conceal genetic variations without immediate observable changes. When exposed to certain conditions, these hidden variations emerge, facilitating swift adaptation. This principle sheds light on rapid evolutionary responses and the underpinnings of species adaptability.
-
Adaptive Valley
The Adaptive Valley, central to evolutionary biology, represents a state of local optimum from which a population finds it difficult to evolve towards better fitness due to the interim lower fitness states. Mutations, genetic drift, and various evolutionary strategies aid this crossing, with applications extending to artificial intelligence and beyond.