Final answer:
Evolutionary change tied to speciation events which happens in short periods of time is called punctuated equilibrium, characterized by long periods of stability followed by rapid change. This theory aligns with the fossil record but does not exclude the possibility of gradual evolution over time. Both concepts depict evolution as a branching process with shared ancestry and divergence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Type of Evolution Linked to Speciation Events
The type of evolution that suggests that significant evolutionary change occurs in short periods of time tied to speciation events is known as punctuated equilibrium. This concept argues that long periods of stasis in the fossil record are punctuated by brief, substantial changes that are often related to environmental factors like climate change. Punctuated equilibrium indicates that these rapid changes are instrumental in the formation of new species and can fill niches left open by sudden changes.
In contrast, gradualism proposes that evolution occurs at a steady, gradual pace. While research such as that cited by Phillips (2006) indicates that both punctuated equilibrium and gradualism play roles in evolution, it is punctuated equilibrium that seems to align more closely with the observed patterns in the fossil record, showing abrupt periods of change rather than a constant, steady flow. Nonetheless, as both punctuated equilibrium and gradualism suggest, evolution is considered a branching process, more akin to a tree of life with multiple branches and shared common ancestors, not a simple linear or progressive path.