The Genomic Drive hypothesis and punctuated evolutionary taxonations, or radiations

Oliver, K.R. and Greene, W.K. (2009) The Genomic Drive hypothesis and punctuated evolutionary taxonations, or radiations. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, 92 (4). pp. 447-451.

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Abstract

Orthodox evolutionary theory does not accord with what palaeontologists usually find in the fossil record, which mainly indicates long periods of stasis, interspersed with relatively short periods of rapid change, that is, macro or micro punctuational evolutionary taxonations. This is usually known as punctuated equilibrium, A novel hypothesis we have called Genomic Drive, points towards Transposable Elements (TEs) as powerful facilitators of evolution and as essential for induction of periodic changes in the rate of evolution. The Genomic Drive hypothesis, which is supported by current data, if confirmed, will open the way for the reconciliation of evolutionary theory with the findings of most palaeontologists. It may also help to explain the extraordinary fecundity of some orders, and the paucity of species in others, and why there are "fossil species".