AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The theory of punctuated equilibrium states that evolutionary change is characterised by short periods of rapid evolution followed by longer periods of stasis in which no change occurs.

Detailed explanation-2: -Our resulting data indicate that more than half (55%) of natural history museums today still depict horse evolution as orthogenetic, despite the fact that paleontologists have known for a century that the actual evolutionary pattern of the Family Equidae is branching.

Detailed explanation-3: -Horse evolution shows long stable periods of little evolution interrupted by brief periods of rapid change.

Detailed explanation-4: -Punctuated equilibrium is a pattern of evolution in which long stable periods are interrupted by brief periods of more rapid change.

Detailed explanation-5: -Horse evolution was previously believed to be a linear progress, but after more fossils were discovered, it was determined the evolution of horses was more complex and multi-branched. Horses have evolved from gradual change ( anagenesis ) as well as abrupt progression and division ( cladogenesis ).