Question

1. 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? convergent evolution differentiation punctuated equilibrium gradualism clear all

Explanation:

Punctuated equilibrium describes long periods of stasis (unchanged) followed by rapid evolutionary change, which matches the bryozoans' evolution pattern. Convergent evolution is when different species evolve similar traits, differentiation is cell - specific development, and gradualism is slow, continuous evolution.

Answer:

C. Punctuated equilibrium