Question

Why are there gaps in the fossil record?

Answer 1

The gradual transition of life forms predicted by Darwin's theory of descent with modification have not be found so it assumed there are gaps in the fossil record.

Explanation:

Darwin's theory of evolution is based on Lyell's theory of uniformintarism that everything happens by slow gradual changes.

The idea of descent with modification is that small positive changes would be preserved by natural selection resulting in a gradual increase in complexity and diversity resulting in the observed biological organism seen today.

Darwin predicted that as the fossil record became more complete the gaps between major life forms such as fish and amphibians would be filled by newly discovered fossils.

150 years later the gaps between the major life forms still exist in the fossil record. The predicted series of fossils showing gradual changes and unceasing complexity have not be discovered.

Assuming that Darwin's theory of descent with modification is correct an explanation of why the gaps between major life forms must be found.

1 The idea that more searching will reveal fossils that will fill the gaps is still held by some scientists but this hope has been abandoned by most.

1. The idea of punctuated equilibrium has been proposed to answer the problem. The idea of punctuated equilibrium is that the gradual changes took place in small isolated geographical areas. Then a change in the environment released the fully formed new life forms into the general environment where the organism could be fossilized into the fossil record. The gradual transitional forms being in a small geographical area were not preserved.

2. The hopeful monster theory states that the transitional forms never existed. The changes between life forms were sudden and semi complete.

Or Darwin's theory is completely wrong. Descent with modification did not happen.

Descent with medication is generally accepted as truth so an explanation as to why there are major gaps between the fossils of the major life forms must be found.