Question

which theory suggests that speciation occurs through rapid bursts of change after long periods of little to no change?
natural selection
punctuated equilibrium
gradualism

Explanation:

• Natural Selection: It is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. It is not specifically about the pattern of speciation described in the question.
• Punctuated Equilibrium: This theory posits that evolution occurs in rapid bursts (speciation events) after long periods of stasis (little to no change). This matches the description in the question.
• Gradualism: Suggests that evolution occurs slowly and gradually over long periods of time, which is the opposite of the "rapid bursts after long stasis" pattern.

Answer:

Punctuated Equilibrium