What are the major differences between predictions based on the frozen plasticity theory and those based on the earlier evolutionary theories of adaptive evolution by Darwin and Dawkins?

Some important differences in predictions of the nature of microevolutionary, macroevolutionary and ecological processes are given in the following table:

Table 1. Differences between predictions of the classical theories of evolution and the frozen plasticity theory of evolution. Two asterisks denote the predictions which have already been tested and support the frozen plasticity model. One asterisk denotes the predictions which intentionally have not been tested but are supported by published data.
   classical theory  frozen plasticity theory 
anagenesis and cladogenesis **   are independent are coupled
divergence of species does not correlate with taxon richness correlates with taxon richness
genetic polymorphism **  accelerates evolution decelerates evolution
species respond to selection * plastically (as plasticine) elastically (as rubber)
species are adapted to * current environment original environment
local and global abundance **  correlate for any species do not correlate for old species 
abundance of species  is independent of species age  decreases with species age
ability of species to respond to environmental changes **  is independent of species age decreases with species age 
species on islands are derived * as much as those on continents  more than those on continents
asexual species*  less adapted to their environment  more adapted to their environment
cross-pollinating species * as stable as self-pollinating species  more stable than self-pollinating species
invasive species ** express average heritability express higher heritability
domesticated species express average heritability express higher heritability
domesticated species express average age  are evolutionarily younger 
successful selection* has no influence on fitness  decreases fitness
rate of anagenesis in a clade*  is (on average) constant usually decreases
two species in the same niche* usually cannot coexist frequently can coexist 
slow long-term trends* are hardly possible are quite possible

 

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The classical Darwinian theory of evolution can explain the evolution of adaptive traits only in asexual organisms. The frozen plasticity theory is much more general: It can also explain the origin and evolution of adaptive traits in both asexual and sexual organisms Read more
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