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Phyletic Gradualism versus Punctuated Equilibria: Why case histories do not suffice

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Abstract

Many attempts have been made at supporting either one of the allegedly complementary divergence models Phyletic Gradualism (PG) and Punctuated Equilibria (PE) by patterns found in specific fossil sequences. However, assessing each model's connection with reality via such “individual case histories” appears not to constitute a relevant approach. Instead, in order to correctly establish the possible merits of both concepts, the claims of each have to be verified against general evolutionary theory. This is being pointed out herein by analyzing cladogenesis at the specific level as an example. [Phyletic Gradualism; Punctuated Equilibria; evolutionary theory; divergence models; case histories; additive speciation.]

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    J. C. von Vaupel Klein

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von Vaupel Klein, J.C. Phyletic Gradualism versus Punctuated Equilibria: Why case histories do not suffice. Acta Biotheor 43, 259–278 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00707274

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