Answer Happy

Why are rates of phenotypic evolution seen in living organisms
typically many orders of magnitude greater than those observed in
the fossil record?
A.Standing genetic variation increases over time, so it is
greater in living species than fossil species
B.Studies of fossils often span only a few generations so change
is based mainly on standing genetic variation, whereas studies of
living organisms can span thousands of generations so standing
variation has been "used up" and change requires new mutations.
C.Studies of living organisms often span only a few generations
so change is based mainly on standing genetic variation, whereas
studies of fossils can span thousands of generations so standing
variation has been "used up" and change requires new mutations.
D.Fluctuating environments maintain heritability.
E.Rapidly changing features are rarely preserved in the fossil
record.