Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Speciation Rates01:07

Speciation Rates

Speciation can proceed at markedly different rates, and evolutionary biologists commonly describe these differences through the models of gradualism and punctuated equilibrium. Both patterns explain how new species arise, but they differ in the tempo and continuity of evolutionary change. In both cases, evolutionary change arises from heritable variation within populations, with natural selection often shaping traits that improve survival and reproduction under specific environmental conditions.
The Fossil Record02:56

The Fossil Record

The fossil record documents only a small fraction of all organisms that have ever inhabited Earth. Fossilization is a rare process, and most organisms never become fossils. Moreover, the fossil record only exhibits fossils that have been discovered. Nevertheless, sedimentary rock fossils of long-lived, abundant, hard-bodied organisms dominate the fossil record. These fossils offer valuable information, such as an organism's physical form, behavior, and age. Studying the fossil record helps...
What is Evolutionary History?02:35

What is Evolutionary History?

Scientists record evolutionary history by analyzing fossil, morphological, and genetic data. The fossil record documents the history of life on Earth and provides evidence for evolution. However, both fossil and living organisms offer evidence that outlines Earth’s evolutionary history.Phylogenetic trees illustrate the evolutionary relationships among these organisms. Scientists infer organisms’ common ancestry by evaluating shared morphological and genetic characteristics. Together, the fossil...
The Nativist Approach01:21

The Nativist Approach

The nativist approach to infant cognitive development proposes that infants are born with inherent knowledge structures that allow them to interpret the world almost immediately. This perspective contrasts with earlier developmental theories, such as those proposed by Jean Piaget, which emphasized a more gradual acquisition of cognitive abilities through interaction with the environment. One key concept in this approach is object permanence — the understanding that objects continue to exist...
Evolutionary Psychology01:20

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary psychology explores the origins of human behavior and mental processes by framing them within the context of natural selection, a theory famously propounded by Charles Darwin. This field asserts that many behaviors common across human societies — ranging from instinctive fear reactions to complex social interactions — arose as evolutionary adaptations. These adaptations enhanced the survival and reproductive success of our ancestors, thereby becoming embedded in the human psyche...
Convergent Evolution01:54

Convergent Evolution

Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.The structures that arise from convergent evolution are called analogous structures. They are similar in function even if they are dissimilar in structure. Further, structures can be analogous while also...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Brain-body coevolution in incipient versus established primate species-evaluating Simpson's "most important distinction".

Evolution; international journal of organic evolution·2024
Same author

Pulse grazing by reindeer (<i>Rangifer tarandus</i>) can increase the phylogenetic diversity of vascular plant communities in the Fennoscandian tundra.

Ecology and evolution·2021
Same author

Nucleotide Substitutions during Speciation may Explain Substitution Rate Variation.

Systematic biology·2021
Same author

The dynamics of trait variance in multi-species communities.

Royal Society open science·2020
Same author

The dynamics underlying avian extinction trajectories forecast a wave of extinctions.

Biology letters·2019
Same author

Does density-dependent diversification mirror ecological competitive exclusion?

PloS one·2017
Same journal

From episodes to populations: evolutionary explanation requires a constructive epistemology.

Theory in biosciences = Theorie in den Biowissenschaften·2026
Same journal

Cortical neuron classes and recursive curvature collapse: a neurobiological model of conscious dynamics.

Theory in biosciences = Theorie in den Biowissenschaften·2026
Same journal

On model of weight gain of farm animals.

Theory in biosciences = Theorie in den Biowissenschaften·2026
Same journal

An investigative network analysis mapping global cancer epidemiology.

Theory in biosciences = Theorie in den Biowissenschaften·2026
Same journal

The challenge of distinguishing living from non-living entities.

Theory in biosciences = Theorie in den Biowissenschaften·2026
Same journal

Red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) variety recognition using subset division and neural networks.

Theory in biosciences = Theorie in den Biowissenschaften·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Perspectives on Neuroscience
26:41

Perspectives on Neuroscience

Published on: July 31, 2007

Punctuated equilibrium in a neontological context.

Melanie J Monroe1, Folmer Bokma

  • 1Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.

Theory in Biosciences = Theorie in Den Biowissenschaften
|June 2, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The theory of punctuated equilibrium suggests rapid evolution during speciation, not gradual change. This review explores modern studies using living species to investigate evolutionary tempo and mode.

More Related Videos

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications
07:37

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Published on: January 19, 2018

Creating Objects and Object Categories for Studying Perception and Perceptual Learning
14:38

Creating Objects and Object Categories for Studying Perception and Perceptual Learning

Published on: November 2, 2012

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Perspectives on Neuroscience
26:41

Perspectives on Neuroscience

Published on: July 31, 2007

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications
07:37

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Published on: January 19, 2018

Creating Objects and Object Categories for Studying Perception and Perceptual Learning
14:38

Creating Objects and Object Categories for Studying Perception and Perceptual Learning

Published on: November 2, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Palaeontology
  • Speciation

Background:

  • The theory of punctuated equilibrium, proposed in 1972, posits rapid evolutionary change during speciation events, contrasting with gradualism.
  • Interpreting the fossil record has led to ongoing debate regarding evolutionary tempo and mode, and the role of natural selection.
  • The extent to which gradual change within species contributes to interspecific phenotypic differences remains disputed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review research investigating the tempo and mode of evolution since the introduction of punctuated equilibrium.
  • To examine how neontological (living species) data have been used to test evolutionary theories.
  • To discuss the advantages, disadvantages, and future prospects of using modern data in evolutionary studies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature focusing on the theory of punctuated equilibrium.
  • Analysis of studies utilizing neontological data to investigate evolutionary patterns.
  • Discussion of methodological advancements in evolutionary research.

Main Results:

  • Neontological data offer new avenues for studying evolutionary tempo and mode, complementing the fossil record.
  • Methodological advances have improved the ability to detect and analyze evolutionary patterns in extant species.
  • Recent studies provide insights into the validity and implications of punctuated equilibrium in various contexts.

Conclusions:

  • Investigating evolutionary tempo and mode using living species is crucial for understanding the dynamics of biological change.
  • Modern data and methods offer valuable perspectives on long-standing evolutionary debates.
  • Further research is needed to fully integrate findings from neontological studies with palaeontological evidence.