5. The figure at right shows the pattern of evolutionary change in the number of tail ribs in eight taxa of trilobites over a 3-million-year span in the Ordovician. The x-axis shows the number of...
5. The figure at right shows the pattern of evolutionary change in the number of tail ribs in eight taxa of trilobites over a 3-million-year span in the Ordovician. The x-axis shows the number of ribs. (The small numbers next to the points indicate the number of specimens measured, and can be ignored). Is the pattern of evolutionary change shown here more consistent with the theory of punctuated equilibrium or the theory of phyletic gradualism? Briefly explain why or why not (6 points) Number of ns
5. The figure at right shows the pattern of evolutionary change in the number of tail ribs in eight taxa of trilobites over a 3-million-year span in the Ordovician. The x-axis shows the number of ribs. (The small numbers next to the points indicate the number of specimens measured, and can be ignored). Is the pattern of evolutionary change shown here more consistent with the theory of punctuated equilibrium or the theory of phyletic gradualism? Briefly explain why or why not (6 points) Number of ns