Shifting balance theory

The shifting balance theory is a theory of

. According to the theory, this movement occurs in three steps:

1. Genetic drift allows a locally adapted subpopulation to move across an adaptive valley to the base of a higher adaptive peak.
2. Natural selection will move the subpopulation up the higher peak.
3. This new superiorly adapted subpopulation may then expand its
   interbreed with other subpopulations, causing the spread of new adaptations
   and movement of the global population toward the new fitness peak.

Although shifting balance theory has been influential in evolutionary biology, inspiring the theories of quantum evolution and punctuated equilibrium,^[1] little empirical evidence exists to support the shifting balance process as an important factor in evolution.^[2]

References

Further reading

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (December 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

• Wade, M.J.; Goodnight, C.J. (1998). "Perspective: the theories of Fisher and Wright in the context of metapopulations: when nature does many small experiments". Evolution. 52 (6): 1537–1553.
  S2CID 20901475
  .
• Wright, S (1931). "Evolution in Mendelian populations". Genetics. 16 (2): 97–159.
  PMID 17246615
  .
• Wright, S. 1932. The roles of mutation, inbreeding, crossbreeding and selection in evolution. Proceedings of the 6th International Congress of Genetics: 356–366.
• Wright, S.W. (1948). "On the roles of directed and random changes in gene frequency in the genetics of populations". Evolution. 2 (4): 279–294.
  S2CID 30360594
  .
• Wright, S.W. (1982). "The shifting balance theory and macroevolution". Annual Review of Genetics. 16: 1–19.
  PMID 6760797
  .