Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
macroevolution
Noun
/ˌmækroʊɪˈvɛlʊʃən/
Definition
Macroevolution refers to large-scale evolutionary changes that occur over extended periods, leading to the emergence of new species and broader taxonomic groups.
Examples
- Macroevolutionary trends can be observed in the fossil record.
- The concept of macroevolution helps explain the diversity of life on Earth.
- Some scientists debate the mechanisms driving macroevolution compared to microevolution.
Meaning
It encompasses the processes that drive the evolution of major new features or fundamentally different organisms compared to their ancestors.
Synonyms
- Evolutionary development
- Speciation
- Phylogenesis
