Evolutionary changes occurring over long time spans and usually involving changes in many traits. (Contrast with microevolution.)
"large-scale" evolution; the evolution of new species and higher taxa.
This means evolution at the level of a species, or higher. For example, the evolution of land animals into whales would be macroevolution. A species of moth turning black is microevolution (change within a species). A new species arising ( speciation) is therefore macroevolution. Many Creationists say that their argument is with macroevolution, and not microevolution. Most scientists consider macroevolution to just be microevolution which has gone on for a long time. However, some scientists argue that the distinction between macro- and micro- is useful.
changes produced through generations, may include the appearance of a new species.
large-scale evolution, entailing major changes in biological traits.
complex evolution which requires supernatural intervention
Long-term, large-scale evolutionary changes among groups of species. Compare microevolution.
(MAC·ro EV·o·LU·tion). Evolutionary change in relatively large and complex changes over many generations and on taxonomic groups higher than the species level, deals with long-term evolutionary change. Macroevolution deals with changes of sufficient magnitude to bring about new taxonomic groups, e.g., new phyla, genera, families.
major evolutionary transition from one type of organism to another occurring at the level of the species and higher taxa
evolution above the species level
level: Comprehensive (3) [ order by level] The scientific doctrine stating that organisms have radically changed form over time, resulting in new species. Most creationists oppose macroevolution, but accept microevolution (such as the development of different breeds of dog) because such variation does not result in new species or “kinds”.
evolution on a large scale extending over geologic era and resulting in the formation of new taxonomic groups
Larger changes in evolution, such as when a new species is formed or a mass extinction.
A term introduced by Theodosius Dobzhansky in 1937, referring to evolution at levels higher than the populational. Macroevolution in his view was evolutionary change at the level of speciation and above. Recently, the term has been used simply to refer to large scale change, mostly at the superspecies level, eg, by Niles Eldredge.
large scale change in organisms resulting in new species, genera, families, etc.
Age scale evolution, entailing major changes in biological traits.
Evolutionary changes that involve the production of new species. These occur over time scales of thousands of years. They are produced by a series of microevolutionary changes, but not all microevolutionary changes lead to macroevolution.
Evolution on the grand scale resulting in the origin of higher taxa. In evolutionary theory it thus entails common ancestry, descent with modification, the genealogical relatedness of all life, transformation of species, large scale functional and structural changes, etc.
Evolution above the level of the species.
Origin of lineages, (which include species), by descent from a common ancestor. This is not observed or testable, and hence the controversy over it.
Evolution on a large or broad scale (change throughout the phylum).
The combination of events associated with the origin, diversification, extinction, and interactions of organisms which produced the species that currently inhabit the Earth.
A vague term generally used to refer to evolution on a grand scale, or over long periods of time. There is no precise scientific definition for this term, but it is often used to refer to the emergence or modification of taxa at or above the genus level. The origin or adaptive radiation of a higher taxon, such as vertebrates, could be called a macroevolutionary event.
Macroevolution refers to evolution that occurs at or above the level of species, in contrast with microevolution, which refers to smaller evolutionary changes (typically described as changes in allele frequencies) within a species or population. The process of speciation may fall within the purview of either, depending on the forces thought to drive it. Paleontology, evolutionary developmental biology, and comparative genomics contribute most of the evidence for the patterns and processes that can be classified as macroevolution.