Evolutionary Research Reveals Species Diversify Through Sudden Bursts Rather Than Gradual Change
By
rbanffy
Fresh out the oven, still warm. Top of the tray.
Summary
New evolutionary research reveals that species evolution occurs through sudden bursts of rapid change immediately after lineage splits, rather than gradual accumulation of changes over time. The study, focusing on cephalopods like squid and octopuses, shows a "split-and-hit-the-gas" dynamic where evolutionary trees form through explosive diversification periods followed by long pauses. This challenges traditional gradualist models of evolution.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledOver the last half-billion years, squid, octopuses and their kin have evolved much like a fireworks display, with long, anticipatory pauses interspersed with intense, explosive changes.
The many-armed diversity of cephalopods is the result of the evolutionary rubber hitting the road right after lineages split into new species.
Sudden accelerations spring from the crooks of branches in evolutionary trees.
Living systems evolve in a split-and-hit-the-gas dynamic, where new lineages appear in sudden bursts rather than during a long marathon of gradual changes.
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