What do Darwin and modern evolutionists expect regarding transitional fossils?

Darwin and modern evolutionists expect transitional fossils to be abundant due to the gradual nature of evolutionary change. Evolution operates through small, incremental changes over long periods of time, which implies that many intermediate forms are likely to exist in the fossil record. As more fossils are discovered and new techniques in paleontology and genetics are developed, the expectation is that numerous specimens documenting these gradual transitions will be uncovered, supporting the evolutionary links between different species.

Transitional fossils serve as critical evidence for the process of evolution, illustrating how one species can evolve into another over time. Examples such as the transition from fish to amphibians or from reptiles to birds provide insights into how these dramatic changes occurred, reinforcing the evolutionary paradigm. Therefore, the anticipation of finding abundant transitional fossils aligns with the understanding of how evolution works.