Gradualism involves slow, continuous evolution, while punctuated equilibrium shows rapid changes in short bursts amidst long periods of stability.
Gradualism in evolution suggests continuous change over time with species evolving slowly and steadily, while punctuated equilibrium proposes long periods of stability with short bursts of rapid change when evolution occurs.
An example of gradual evolution could be the development of the horse lineage over millions of years, showing gradual changes in tooth structure and size. On the other hand, punctuated equilibrium could be exemplified by the sudden appearance of new species after a mass extinction event like the Cambrian explosion.
While the two models differ in their approach, they are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as punctuated equilibrium can still incorporate some elements of gradualism.
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