Dimension reduction projection and our perception of evolution.

The evolution of a species can be viewed as a trajectory in multidimensional space. What we perceive is only a low dimensional projection from the total dimensionality necessary to fully describe a species. Motivated by the phenomenon of punctuated equilibria, it is shown that there are projections of gradualistic evolution which will have a punctuated character. However, whether our eyes and minds would choose such a projection of the total phenotype is not resolved.