Which theory of how evolution occurs would argue that all of the oak species in Georgia appeared suddenly from one common ancest
or, over a short period of time, due to some extreme environmental changes, and that since that time, they have not changed much? A) gradualism B) microevolution C) macroevolution D) punctuated equilibriu
The answer to your question is D) punctuated equilibrium.
The theory of Punctuated Equilibrium states that extremes in the environment cause sudden evolution; a long period of time precedes the sudden evolutionary changes.
<em><u>According to the theory of punctuated equilibrium organisms are in stasis until a major change causes evolutionary pressures, which will result in a rapid burst of speciation until the stasis is reached again.</u></em>
<em><u>Based on this theory, when species occur in a fossil record, then the population will become stable, thus showing little evolutionary change for the geological history.</u></em>
<em><u>In this case, based on the theory of punctuated equilibrium all of the oak species in Georgia appeared suddenly from one common ancestor, over a short period of time, due to some extreme environmental changes, and that since that time, they have not changed much.</u></em>