Punctuated Equilibrium and the Validation of Macroevolutionary Theory 863
limited value—that is, for establishing proper relative frequencies, not for
resolutions of particular cases—of trying to infer the quantitative distribution of
rates and modes for all taxa from previously published research carried out within
the "best case" tradition, usually with strong (and unacknowledged) preference for
defining evolution only as geologically gradual change. Before
9 - 26. A rare case of gradualism amongst the overwhelming domination in relative frequency for
stasis in 177 well-documented mammalian species of the Big Badlands fauna of South Dakota.
This species of Miniochoerus (previously known as Merycoidodon) does undergo gradual
dwarfing to 30% size reduction over a one million year interval. From Prothero and Heaton,
1996.