間斷平衡

間斷平衡（英語：Punctuated equilibrium）是一個演化生物學理論。此理論認為行有性生殖的物種可在某一段時間中，經歷相對傳統觀念而言較為快速的物種形成過程，之後又經歷一段長時間無太大變化的時期。

上圖是傳統的漸變式演化模式，下圖則是間斷平衡理論所呈現的快速演化，並長期停滯。

間斷平衡理論最早是由美國古生物學家尼爾斯·艾崔奇與史蒂芬·古爾德，基於恩斯特·麥爾的異域物種形成，以及其他一些遺傳理論所提出。

參見

• 災變論

延伸閱讀

• Adler, J. and Carey, J. (1982) "Enigmas of Evolution" （页面存档备份，存于互联网档案馆）, Newsweek, March 29, 1982.
• Brett, C. E., L. C. Ivany, and K. M. Schopf (1996) "Coordinated stasis: An overview." Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology 127 (1-4): 1-20.
• Erwin, D. H. and R. L. Anstey (1995) New approaches to speciation in the fossil record. New York : Columbia University Press.
• Fitch, W. J. and F. J. Ayala (1995) Tempo and mode in evolution : genetics and paleontology 50 years after Simpson. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.
• Gersick, C. J. G. (1991): Revolutionary Change Theories: A Multilevel Exploration of the Punctuated Equilibrium Paradigm. The Academy of Management Review 16 (1), pp. 10-36.
• Ghiselin, M.T. (1986) "We Are All Contraptions" （页面存档备份，存于互联网档案馆）, The New York Times, December 14, 1986.
• Michael Givel. Failure to Change through Multiple Policy Instruments and Venues the Tobacco Industry Policy Subsystem in the States from 1990 to 2003. Policy Studies Journal. 2006-08, 34 (3): 453–457 [2022-10-19]. ISSN 0190-292X. doi:10.1111/j.1541-0072.2006.00182.x. （原始内容存档于2022-10-22） （英语）. 
• Gould, S. J. (1992) "Punctuated equilibrium in fact and theory." In Albert Somit and Steven Peterson The Dynamics of Evolution. New York: Cornell University Press. pp. 54-84.
• Gould, S. J. and N. Eldredge (1993) "Punctuated equilibrium comes of age" （页面存档备份，存于互联网档案馆） Nature 366 (6452): 223-227.
• Mayr, E. (1963) Animal Species and Evolution. Cambridge MA: Harvard University Press.
• Rhodes, R. H. T. (1983) "Gradualism, punctuated equilibrium and the Origin of Species." Nature 305 (5932): 269-272.

外部連結

• "What is Punctuated Equilibria?" （页面存档备份，存于互联网档案馆） - by Wesley Elsberry
• "Punctuated Equilibrium at Twenty" - by Donald Prothero
• "Punctuated Equilibrium's Threefold History" （页面存档备份，存于互联网档案馆） - by Stephen Jay Gould
• "The Theoretical Value of Punctuated Equilibrium" - Robyn Broyles
• "Theory Still Rocks Scientists' Equilibrium" - by Keay Davidson
• "On the Trails of Macroevolution" （页面存档备份，存于互联网档案馆） - by Carl Zimmer
• "All you need to know about Punctuated Equilibrium (almost)" （页面存档备份，存于互联网档案馆） - by Douglas Theobald.