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A transitional form that has not yet been found is colloquially called a '[[missing link]]'.

A transitional form that has not yet been found is colloquially called a '[[missing link]]'.

[[Creationist]]s claim that transitional forms between different kinds of creatures are systematically absent. However, it has been pointed out that whenever a transitional fossil is found, creationists claim that there are now two missing pieces.

[[Creationist]]s claim that transitional forms between different kinds of creatures are systematically absent.

Other scientists typically reject this claim. One such scientific rebuttal is that by [[Kathleen Hunt]] who created a Transitional Vertebrate Fossil FAQ.<ref>Hunt, Kathleen, [http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/faq-transitional.html Transitional Vertebrate Fossils FAQ] (Talk.Origins)</ref>

Other scientists typically reject this claim. One such attempted rebuttal is that by [[Kathleen Hunt]] who created a Transitional Vertebrate Fossil FAQ.<ref>Hunt, Kathleen, [http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/faq-transitional.html Transitional Vertebrate Fossils FAQ] (Talk.Origins)</ref>

== Identification problem ==

== Identification problem ==

A major problem with identifying transitional forms is in determining whether a particular fossil or living thing is truly intermediate between two others, or is merely an unrelated form which has characteristics common to both other forms.

A major problem with identifying transitional forms is in determining whether a particular fossil or living thing is truly intermediate between two others, or is merely an unrelated form which has characteristics common to both other forms.

[[Archaeopteryx]] is a good example of an intermediate form. It has well preserved feathers, but is skeletally identical to a small theropod dinosaur. Some of these similarities include teeth and a long bony tail. It is so similar that one specimen without preserved feathers was mistakenly classified as a compsognathus. Some creationists have said that the fact that its feathers are fully developed casts doubt on evolution; however, while the conditions for fossilization are rare, the conditions needed to preserve feathers are even rarer. Still, many fossils of protofeathers have been found.

[[Archaeopteryx]], for example, has some features in common with both living [[bird]]s and [[reptile]]s, and is often quoted as an intermediate form.

It was not covered with part-[[scale]]s/part-[[feather]]s, but had fully-functioning feathers and [[wing]]s, and was capable of [[flight]].

There is therefore no reason to think that it is not simply a bird with some features in common with reptiles.

Evolutionists have criticised creationists for claiming that if an intermediate form is discovered, it merely creates two gaps where there was previously one.

Evolutionists have criticised creationists for claiming that if an intermediate form is discovered, it merely creates two gaps where there was previously one.

This criticism ignores the size of the gaps.<ref>Woodmorappe, John, [http://creationontheweb.com/content/view/4248 Does a ‘transitional form’ replace one gap with two gaps?], ''Journal of Creation'' 14(3):5–6, August 2000.</ref>

This criticism ignores the size of the gaps.<ref>Woodmorappe, John, [http://creationontheweb.com/content/view/4248 Does a ‘transitional form’ replace one gap with two gaps?], ''Journal of Creation'' 14(3):5–6, August 2000.</ref>

However, if the gap is still large, this does not validate the claim of the creationist, as fossilization is a rare process and sometimes evolution occurs rapidly, as in the case of humans, who evolved into their modern form in only a few million years.

If the remaining two gaps are large, then the creationist claim is justified.

Rather than simply producing the occasional form which appears to be intermediate between two different forms, evolutionists need to demonstrate what [[Charles Darwin]] called a "finely-graduated organic chain".<ref name="chain" /> It should be noted that the science of evolution has progressed monumentally since Darwin's time.

Rather than simply producing the occasional form which appears to be intermediate between two different forms, evolutionists need to demonstrate what [[Charles Darwin]] called a "finely-graduated organic chain".<ref name="chain" />

Despite many more fossils being discovered since Darwin's time, the continued lack of a series of fossils showing a smooth transition led [[Stephen Jay Gould]] and [[Niles Eldredge]] to propose [[Punctuated Equilibrium]], which says that the change from one form to another took place is short bursts which generally would not leave a fossil trace.

Despite many more fossils being discovered since Darwin's time, the continued lack of a series of fossils showing a smooth transition led [[Stephen Jay Gould]] and [[Niles Eldredge]] to propose [[Punctuated Equilibrium]], which says that the change from one form to another took place is short bursts which generally would not leave a fossil trace.

In ''The Origin of Species'' [[Charles Darwin]] wrote that the fossil record (as it was known then) was lacking in transitional forms.<ref name="chain">"Why then is not every geological formation and every stratum full of such intermediate links? Geology assuredly does not reveal any such finely graduated organic chain; and this, perhaps, is the most obvious and gravest objection which can be urged against my theory. The explanation lies, as I believe, in the extreme imperfection of the geological record".  Darwin, Charles, ''The Origin of Species'', chapter X.</ref>

In ''The Origin of Species'' [[Charles Darwin]] wrote that the fossil record (as it was known then) was lacking in transitional forms.<ref name="chain">"Why then is not every geological formation and every stratum full of such intermediate links? Geology assuredly does not reveal any such finely graduated organic chain; and this, perhaps, is the most obvious and gravest objection which can be urged against my theory. The explanation lies, as I believe, in the extreme imperfection of the geological record".  Darwin, Charles, ''The Origin of Species'', chapter X.</ref>

He predicted, however, that transitional forms would be found.

He predicted, however, that transitional forms would be found.

Nevertheless, 120 years later, David Raup said that the situation had not improved.<ref>"Well, we are now about 120 years after Darwin, and the knowledge of the fossil record has been greatly expanded. We now have a quarter of a million fossil species, but the situation hasn't changed much. The record of evolution is still surprisingly jerky, and ironically, we have fewer examples of evolutionary transitions than we had in Darwin's time. By this I mean that some of the classic cases of Darwinian change in the fossil record, such as the evolution of the horse in North America, have had to be discarded or modified as a result of more detailed information.", Raup, David, "Conflicts between Darwin and paleontology", ''Field Museum of Natural History Bulletin'' 50(1), January 1979, p.25.</ref> It should be noted though, that, as a scientist, Raup is well acquainted with the mountain of evidence for evolution.

Nevertheless, 120 years later, David Raup said that the situation had not improved.<ref>"Well, we are now about 120 years after Darwin, and the knowledge of the fossil record has been greatly expanded. We now have a quarter of a million fossil species, but the situation hasn't changed much. The record of evolution is still surprisingly jerky, and ironically, we have fewer examples of evolutionary transitions than we had in Darwin's time. By this I mean that some of the classic cases of Darwinian change in the fossil record, such as the evolution of the horse in North America, have had to be discarded or modified as a result of more detailed information.", Raup, David, "Conflicts between Darwin and paleontology", ''Field Museum of Natural History Bulletin'' 50(1), January 1979, p.25.</ref>

Nevertheless, evolutionists continue to make claims of transitional forms.  One such set of claims was in the 1st March 2008 issue of ''[[New Scientist]]''<ref>Prothero, Donald, ''What Missing Link?'', ''New Scientist'', 1st March 2008.</ref>

Nevertheless, evolutionists continue to make claims of transitional forms.  One such set of claims was in the 1st March 2008 issue of ''[[New Scientist]]''<ref>Prothero, Donald, ''What Missing Link?'', ''New Scientist'', 1st March 2008.</ref>