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==References==
==References==
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* Darwin, ''Origin of Species,'' New York: Modern Library, 1998.
* Darwin, ''Origin of Species,'' New York: Modern Library, 1998.

Latest revision as of 19:23, 4 September 2012


Template:Evolution3 Macroevolution is a scale of analysis of evolution in separated gene pools.[1] Macroevolutionary studies focus on change that occurs at or above the level of species, in contrast with microevolution,[2] 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, comparative genomics and genomic phylostratigraphy contribute most of the evidence for the patterns and processes that can be classified as macroevolution. An example of macroevolution is the appearance of feathers during the evolution of birds from one group of dinosaurs.

Within the Modern Synthesis school of thought, macroevolution is thought of as the compounded effects of microevolution. Thus, the distinction between micro- and macroevolution is not a fundamental one - the only difference between them is of time and scale.

Some creationists have also adopted the term "macroevolution" to describe the form of evolution that they reject. They may accept that evolutionary change is possible within species ("microevolution"), but deny that one species can evolve into another ("macroevolution").[1] These arguments are rejected by mainstream science, which holds that there is ample evidence that macroevolution has occurred in the past.[3][4]

Research topics

Some examples of subjects whose study falls within the realm of macroevolution:

Origin of the Term

Russian Entomologist Yuri Filipchenko (or Philipchenko, depending on the transliteration) first coined the terms "macroevolution" and "microevolution" in 1927 in his German language work, "Variabilität und Variation"[3].

Since the inception of the two terms, their meanings have been revised several times and even fallen into disfavour amongst scientists who prefer to speak of biological evolution as one process.[3]

Criticisms of macroevolution

While details of macroevolution are continuously studied by the scientific community, the overall theory behind macroevolution (i.e. common descent) has been overwhelmingly consistent with empirical data. Predictions of empirical data from the theory of common descent have been so consistent that biologists often refer to it as the "fact of evolution".[5][6] Nevertheless, macroevolution is sometimes disputed by religious groups. Generally speaking, these groups attempt to differentiate between microevolution and macroevolution, asserting various hypotheses which are considered to have no scientific basis by any mainstream scientific organization, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science[7].

When discussing the topic, creationists use "strategically elastic" definitions of micro- and macroevolution.[1] Macroevolution, by their definition, cannot be attained. Any observed evolutionary change is described by them as being "just microevolution".[1]

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Matzke, Nicholas J. and Paul R. Gross. 2006. Analyzing Critical Analysis: The Fallback Antievolutionist Strategy. In Eugenie Scott and Glenn Branch, Not in Our Classrooms: Why Intelligent Design is Wrong for Our Schools, Beacon Press, Boston ISNB:0807032786
  2. Dobzhansky, Theodosius Grigorievich (1937). Genetics and the origin of species. LC QH366 .D6. Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help), p12
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Macroevolution: Its definition, Philosophy and History
  4. CB901: No Macroevolution
  5. 29+ Evidences for Macroevolution: The Scientific Case for Common Descent, Douglas L. Theobald, The Talk.Origins Archive, Vers. 2.83, 2004, 12 Jan, 2004.
  6. Laurence Moran (1993). "Evolution is a Fact and a Theory". TalkOrigins Archive. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  7. AAAS press release news-links and resources

External links

Template:Evolution

bg:Макроеволюция cs:Makroevoluce de:Makroevolution lt:Makroevoliucija fi:Makroevoluutio sv:Makroevolution uk:Макроеволюція Template:WH Template:WS