Question

how is neo-evolution theory related to Gradualism and punctuated equilibrium?

Answer 1

Evolution of a species can occur by the two ways, either Gradualism or punctuated equilibrium or sometime both. Species with a shorter evolution evolved mostly by punctuated equilibrium, and those with a longer evolution evolved mostly by gradualism.

Gradualism is selection and variation that occurs more gradually. Over a short period of time it is hard to notice. Small variations that fit an organism slightly better to its environment are selected for: a few more individuals with more of the helpful trait survive, and a few more with less of the helpful trait die. Very gradually, over a long time, the population changes. Change is slow, constant, and consistent.

In punctuated equilibrium, change comes in sudden or forceful. There is a period of very little change, and then one or a few huge changes occur, often through mutations in the genes of a species. Mutations are random changes in the sequence of DNA that are actually not inherited from the previous generation, while it passes on to generations that follow. Though mutations are generally harmful, but the mutations that result in punctuated equilibrium are beneficial to the species in their environments. Because these mutations are helpful to the survival of those that have them, the proportion of individuals in the population who have the mutation/trait and those who don't changes a lot over a very short period of time. The species changes very rapidly over a few generations, then settles down again to a period of little change.