Abstract This paper considers which scientific methods of analysis in the study of evolution are more compatible with the ideas of punctuated equilibria. More specifically, the paper compares Cladistic Methods with the methods of Phyletic Gradualism in terms of their compatibility with the ideas of punctuated equlibria and then considers whether the concept of adaptation is more important in either model of evolutionary change. Included with this paper, in addition to the sources used to write the paper, is a list of recommended sources as well.
From the Paper "Biological systematists who wished to reconstruct evolutionary genealogies of species based on morphological similarities originally develop phylogenetic analysis. The German entomologist Willi Hennig was the first author to propose an explicit method of phylogenetic analysis, and the publication of his work in English (Hennig 1996) quickly led to the widespread use of his approach. Phylogenetic methods used to reconstruct the relationships between macro-molecular sequences also involve the application of Hennigian principles."
