According to the theory of punctuated equilibrium, at what rate does speciation occur? Species change depending on the rate of natural selection. After periods of stasis, new species evolve relatively rapidly. Species change slowly and eventually form new species. Some species change quickly and others change slowly to balance the overall rate.

The correct answer is option (B) After periods of stasis, new species evolve relatively rapidly.

Punctuated equilibrium is an evolutionary theory dealing with the concept of stasis which is a state of little or no morphological change. It explains the pattern of speciation observed in the fossil records. Until the organisms encounter an evolutionary pressure, they are in a period of stasis. The evolutionary pressure results in a rapid process of speciation. Once the species appear in the fossil records, the population becomes stable with no or little evolutionary change. They undergo no or minimal evolutionary change for most of their geological time scale. It is the contrasting evolutionary theory to the phyletic gradualism.

the answer to your question is b