Question

certain species of the coral - like sea organisms called bryozoans first appeared about 140 million years ago. they remained unchanged for the first 40 million years and then suddenly experienced rapid genetic change. which process would best account for the pattern of evolution in bryozoans?
a convergent evolution
b differentiation
c punctuated equilibrium
d gradualism

Explanation:

• Punctuated equilibrium is a theory in evolutionary biology. It states that species experience long periods of stasis (little or no change) interrupted by short periods of rapid evolutionary change. In the case of bryozoans, they remained unchanged (stasis) for 40 million years and then had rapid genetic change, which fits the pattern of punctuated equilibrium.
• Gradualism proposes that evolution occurs slowly and gradually over long periods. This does not match the pattern of long - term stasis followed by rapid change.
• Convergent evolution is when different species independently evolve similar traits. This is not relevant to the pattern of evolution described for bryozoans.
• Differentiation is a general biological process (e.g., cell differentiation) and not a theory of evolutionary change pattern as described in the question.

Answer:

C. Punctuated equilibrium