Macroevolution: Difference between revisions
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'''Macroevolution''' comprises the evolutionary processes and patterns which occur at and above the [[species]] level.<ref name="Saupe2021a">{{cite book |last1=Saupe |first1=Erin E. |last2=Myers |first2=Corinne E. |editor1-last=Nuño de la Rosa |editor1-first=Laura |editor2-last=Müller |editor2-first=Gerd B. |title=Chapter: Macroevolution, Book: Evolutionary Developmental Biology - A Reference Guide |date=April 1, 2021 |publisher=Springer, Cham. |isbn=978-3-319-32979-6 |pages=149–167 |edition=1 |chapter-url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32979-6_126 |chapter=Macroevolution|doi=10.1007/978-3-319-32979-6_126 }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite journal |last=Stanley|first=S. M. |date=1975-02-01 |title=A theory of evolution above the species level |journal=[[Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences]] |language=en |volume=72 |issue=2 |pages=646–50 |doi=10.1073/pnas.72.2.646 |issn=0027-8424 |pmc=432371 |pmid=1054846 |bibcode=1975PNAS...72..646S |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="Gould2002a">{{cite book |last=Gould|first=Stephen Jay |title=The structure of evolutionary theory |date=2002 |publisher=Belknap Press of [[Harvard University Press]] |isbn=0-674-00613-5 |location=Cambridge, Mass. |oclc=47869352}}</ref> In contrast, [[microevolution]] is evolution occurring within the population(s) of a single species. In other words, microevolution is the scale of evolution that is limited to intraspecific (within-species) variation, while macroevolution extends to interspecific (between-species) variation.<ref name=":1">{{cite journal |last=Hautmann|first=Michael |date=2020 |title=What is macroevolution?|journal=[[Palaeontology (journal)|Palaeontology]] |language=en |volume=63 |issue=1 |pages=1–11 |doi=10.1111/pala.12465 |bibcode=2020Palgy..63....1H |issn=0031-0239 |doi-access=free}}</ref> The evolution of new species ([[speciation]]) is an example of macroevolution. This is the common definition for 'macroevolution' used by contemporary scientists.{{efn|Rolland et al. (2023)<ref name="Rolland2022a">{{cite journal |last1=Rolland |first1=J. |last2=Henao-Diaz |first2=L.F. |last3=Doebeli |first3=M.|last4=Germain |first4=Rachel |display-authors=3 |title=Conceptual and empirical bridges between micro- and macroevolution. |journal=Nature Ecology & Evolution |date=July 10, 2023 |volume=7 |issue=8 |pages=1181–1193 |doi=10.1038/s41559-023-02116-7 |pmid=37429904 |bibcode=2023NatEE...7.1181R |url=https://files.zoology.ubc.ca/mank-lab/pdf/2023NEEGaps.pdf |issn=2397-334X}}</ref> in the introduction describe ‘microevolution’ and ‘macroevolution’ occurring at two different scales; below the species level and at/above the species level respectively: ''“Since the modern synthesis, many evolutionary biologists have focused their attention on evolution at one of two different timescales: microevolution, that is, the evolution of populations below the species level (in fields such as population genetics, phylogeography and quantitative genetics), or macroevolution, that is, the evolution of species or higher taxonomic levels (for example, phylogenetics, palaeobiology | '''Macroevolution''' comprises the evolutionary processes and patterns which occur at and above the [[species]] level.<ref name="Saupe2021a">{{cite book |last1=Saupe |first1=Erin E. |last2=Myers |first2=Corinne E. |editor1-last=Nuño de la Rosa |editor1-first=Laura |editor2-last=Müller |editor2-first=Gerd B. |title=Chapter: Macroevolution, Book: Evolutionary Developmental Biology - A Reference Guide |date=April 1, 2021 |publisher=Springer, Cham. |isbn=978-3-319-32979-6 |pages=149–167 |edition=1 |chapter-url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32979-6_126 |chapter=Macroevolution|doi=10.1007/978-3-319-32979-6_126 }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite journal |last=Stanley|first=S. M. |date=1975-02-01 |title=A theory of evolution above the species level |journal=[[Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences]] |language=en |volume=72 |issue=2 |pages=646–50 |doi=10.1073/pnas.72.2.646 |issn=0027-8424 |pmc=432371 |pmid=1054846 |bibcode=1975PNAS...72..646S |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="Gould2002a">{{cite book |last=Gould|first=Stephen Jay |title=The structure of evolutionary theory |date=2002 |publisher=Belknap Press of [[Harvard University Press]] |isbn=0-674-00613-5 |location=Cambridge, Mass. |oclc=47869352}}</ref> In contrast, [[microevolution]] is evolution occurring within the population(s) of a single species. In other words, microevolution is the scale of evolution that is limited to intraspecific (within-species) variation, while macroevolution extends to interspecific (between-species) variation.<ref name=":1">{{cite journal |last=Hautmann|first=Michael |date=2020 |title=What is macroevolution?|journal=[[Palaeontology (journal)|Palaeontology]] |language=en |volume=63 |issue=1 |pages=1–11 |doi=10.1111/pala.12465 |bibcode=2020Palgy..63....1H |issn=0031-0239 |doi-access=free}}</ref> The evolution of new species ([[speciation]]) is an example of macroevolution. This is the common definition for 'macroevolution' used by contemporary scientists.{{efn|Rolland et al. (2023)<ref name="Rolland2022a">{{cite journal |last1=Rolland |first1=J. |last2=Henao-Diaz |first2=L.F. |last3=Doebeli |first3=M.|last4=Germain |first4=Rachel |display-authors=3 |title=Conceptual and empirical bridges between micro- and macroevolution. |journal=Nature Ecology & Evolution |date=July 10, 2023 |volume=7 |issue=8 |pages=1181–1193 |doi=10.1038/s41559-023-02116-7 |pmid=37429904 |bibcode=2023NatEE...7.1181R |url=https://files.zoology.ubc.ca/mank-lab/pdf/2023NEEGaps.pdf |issn=2397-334X}}</ref> in the introduction describe ‘microevolution’ and ‘macroevolution’ occurring at two different scales; below the species level and at/above the species level respectively: ''“Since the modern synthesis, many evolutionary biologists have focused their attention on evolution at one of two different timescales: microevolution, that is, the evolution of populations below the species level (in fields such as population genetics, phylogeography and quantitative genetics), or macroevolution, that is, the evolution of species or higher taxonomic levels (for example, phylogenetics, palaeobiology | ||
and biogeography).”''}}{{efn| Saupe & Myers (2021)<ref name="Saupe2021a"></ref> states: ''“Macroevolution is the study of patterns and processes associated with evolutionary change at and above the species level, and includes investigations of both evolutionary tempo and mode.”''}}{{efn| Michael Hautmann (2019)<ref name=":1"></ref> discusses 3 categories of definitions that have been historically used. He argues in favor of the following definition [added clarity]: ''"Macroevolution is evolutionary change that is guided by sorting of interspecific [between-species] variation."''}}{{efn| David Jablonski (2017)<ref name="Jablosnki2017a">{{cite journal |last1=Jablonski |first1=D. |title=Approaches to Macroevolution: 1. General Concepts and Origin of Variation. |journal=Springer, Evolutionary Biology |date=June 3, 2017 |volume=44 |issue=4 |pages=427–450 |doi=10.1007/s11692-017-9420-0|pmid=29142333 |pmc=5661017 |bibcode=2017EvBio..44..427J }}</ref><ref name="Jablosnki2017b">{{cite journal |last1=Jablonski |first1=D. |title=Approaches to Macroevolution: 2. Sorting of Variation, Some Overarching Issues, and General Conclusions. |journal=Springer, Evolutionary Biology |date=October 24, 2017 |volume=44 |issue=4 |pages=451–475 |doi=10.1007/s11692-017-9434-7|pmid=29142334 |pmc=5661022 |bibcode=2017EvBio..44..451J }}</ref> states: “Macroevolution, defined broadly as evolution above the species level, is thriving as a field.”}}{{efn| In his book “The Structure of Evolutionary Theory” (2002)<ref name="Gould2002a"></ref> page 612, Stephen J. Gould describes the species as the basic unit of macroevolution, and compares speciation and extinction to birth and death in microevolutionary processes respectively: ''“In particular, and continuing to use species as a “type” example of individuality at higher levels, all evolutionary criteria apply to the species as a basic unit of macro-evolution. Species have children by branching (in our professional jargon, we even engender these offspring as “daughter species”). Speciation surely obeys principles of hereditary, for daughters, by strong constraints of homology, originate with phenotypes and genotypes closer to those of their parent than to any other species of a collateral lineage. Species certainly vary, for the defining property of reproductive isolation demands genetic differentiation from parents and collateral relatives. Finally, species interact with the environment in a causal way that can influence rates of birth (speciation) and death (extinction).”''}}{{efn| In his paper proposing the theory of [[species selection]], Steven M. Stanly (1974)<ref name=":0"></ref> described macroevolution as being evolution above the species level and decoupled from microevolution: ''“In reaction to the arguments of macromutationists who opposed Neo-Darwinism, modern evolutionists have forcefully asserted that the process of natural selection is responsible for both microevolution, or evolution within species, and evolution above the species level, which is also known as macroevolution or transpecific evolution. [...] Macroevolution is decoupled from microevolution, and we must envision the process governing its course as being analogous to natural selection but operating at a higher level of biological organization. In this higher-level process species become analogous to individuals, and speciation replaces reproduction”''}}{{efn| The ‘Understanding Evolution’ website<ref name="BerkeleyEdu1">{{cite web |title=Evolution at different scales |url=https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolution-at-different-scales-micro-to-macro/ |website=Understanding Evolution |publisher=UCMP, Berkely}}</ref> by [[UCMP]]: ''“Microevolution happens on a small scale (within a single population), while macroevolution happens on a scale that transcends the boundaries of a single species”''}}{{efn| Thomas Holtz’s course GEOL331 lecture notes<ref name="GEOL331a">{{cite web |title=Macroevolution in the Fossil Record? |url=https://www.geol.umd.edu/~tholtz/G331/lectures/331macroevo.html |website=GEOL331 Lecture Notes |publisher=University of Maryland Department of Geology}}</ref> discusses macroevolution observed in the fossil record:''“Following these early attempted modifications of Darwinism, the rest of the 20th Century onward stayed largely within a Darwinian model. However, there were different major schools of thought. Many of these differences hinged on views of microevolution (evolutionary change within a species) and macroevolution (evolutionary change above the species level). While most agreed that the ultimate processes in macroevolution were ultimately microevolutionary, there were disagreement[s] whether the patterns produced were actually reducible to microevolutionary changes.”''}}{{efn| The ‘Digital Atlas of Ancient Life’ website<ref name="DAOAL1">{{cite web |title=What is Macroevolution? |url=https://www.digitalatlasofancientlife.org/learn/evolution/macroevolution/ |website=Digital Atlas of Ancient Life |publisher=PRI}}</ref> by [[Paleontological Research Institution|PRI]] provides a very detailed historical overview for the definition of ‘macroevolution’: “The meaning of the term “macroevolution” has shifted over time. Indeed, early definitions do to not necessarily make much sense in light of our current understanding of evolution, yet are still worth considering to show how the field itself has evolved. Here we will consider usage of the term macroevolution in a few key works, as well as present a definition of macroevolution that we endorse. [...] Lieberman and Eldredge (2014) defined macroevolution as “the patterns and processes pertaining to the birth, death, and persistence of species” and we adopt this definition here.”}} | and biogeography).”''}}{{efn| Saupe & Myers (2021)<ref name="Saupe2021a"></ref> states: ''“Macroevolution is the study of patterns and processes associated with evolutionary change at and above the species level, and includes investigations of both evolutionary tempo and mode.”''}}{{efn| Michael Hautmann (2019)<ref name=":1"></ref> discusses 3 categories of definitions that have been historically used. He argues in favor of the following definition [added clarity]: ''"Macroevolution is evolutionary change that is guided by sorting of interspecific [between-species] variation."''}}{{efn| David Jablonski (2017)<ref name="Jablosnki2017a">{{cite journal |last1=Jablonski |first1=D. |title=Approaches to Macroevolution: 1. General Concepts and Origin of Variation. |journal=Springer, Evolutionary Biology |date=June 3, 2017 |volume=44 |issue=4 |pages=427–450 |doi=10.1007/s11692-017-9420-0|pmid=29142333 |pmc=5661017 |bibcode=2017EvBio..44..427J }}</ref><ref name="Jablosnki2017b">{{cite journal |last1=Jablonski |first1=D. |title=Approaches to Macroevolution: 2. Sorting of Variation, Some Overarching Issues, and General Conclusions. |journal=Springer, Evolutionary Biology |date=October 24, 2017 |volume=44 |issue=4 |pages=451–475 |doi=10.1007/s11692-017-9434-7|pmid=29142334 |pmc=5661022 |bibcode=2017EvBio..44..451J }}</ref> states: “Macroevolution, defined broadly as evolution above the species level, is thriving as a field.”}}{{efn| In his book “The Structure of Evolutionary Theory” (2002)<ref name="Gould2002a"></ref> page 612, Stephen J. Gould describes the species as the basic unit of macroevolution, and compares speciation and extinction to birth and death in microevolutionary processes respectively: ''“In particular, and continuing to use species as a “type” example of individuality at higher levels, all evolutionary criteria apply to the species as a basic unit of macro-evolution. Species have children by branching (in our professional jargon, we even engender these offspring as “daughter species”). Speciation surely obeys principles of hereditary, for daughters, by strong constraints of homology, originate with phenotypes and genotypes closer to those of their parent than to any other species of a collateral lineage. Species certainly vary, for the defining property of reproductive isolation demands genetic differentiation from parents and collateral relatives. Finally, species interact with the environment in a causal way that can influence rates of birth (speciation) and death (extinction).”''}}{{efn| In his paper proposing the theory of [[species selection]], Steven M. Stanly (1974)<ref name=":0"></ref> described macroevolution as being evolution above the species level and decoupled from microevolution: ''“In reaction to the arguments of macromutationists who opposed Neo-Darwinism, modern evolutionists have forcefully asserted that the process of natural selection is responsible for both microevolution, or evolution within species, and evolution above the species level, which is also known as macroevolution or transpecific evolution. [...] Macroevolution is decoupled from microevolution, and we must envision the process governing its course as being analogous to natural selection but operating at a higher level of biological organization. In this higher-level process species become analogous to individuals, and speciation replaces reproduction”''}}{{efn| The ‘Understanding Evolution’ website<ref name="BerkeleyEdu1">{{cite web |title=Evolution at different scales |url=https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolution-at-different-scales-micro-to-macro/ |website=Understanding Evolution |publisher=UCMP, Berkely}}</ref> by [[UCMP]]: ''“Microevolution happens on a small scale (within a single population), while macroevolution happens on a scale that transcends the boundaries of a single species”''}}{{efn| Thomas Holtz’s course GEOL331 lecture notes<ref name="GEOL331a">{{cite web |title=Macroevolution in the Fossil Record? |url=https://www.geol.umd.edu/~tholtz/G331/lectures/331macroevo.html |website=GEOL331 Lecture Notes |publisher=University of Maryland Department of Geology}}</ref> discusses macroevolution observed in the fossil record:''“Following these early attempted modifications of Darwinism, the rest of the 20th Century onward stayed largely within a Darwinian model. However, there were different major schools of thought. Many of these differences hinged on views of microevolution (evolutionary change within a species) and macroevolution (evolutionary change above the species level). While most agreed that the ultimate processes in macroevolution were ultimately microevolutionary, there were disagreement[s] whether the patterns produced were actually reducible to microevolutionary changes.”''}}{{efn| The ‘Digital Atlas of Ancient Life’ website<ref name="DAOAL1">{{cite web |title=What is Macroevolution? |url=https://www.digitalatlasofancientlife.org/learn/evolution/macroevolution/ |website=Digital Atlas of Ancient Life |publisher=PRI}}</ref> by [[Paleontological Research Institution|PRI]] provides a very detailed historical overview for the definition of ‘macroevolution’: “The meaning of the term “macroevolution” has shifted over time. Indeed, early definitions do to not necessarily make much sense in light of our current understanding of evolution, yet are still worth considering to show how the field itself has evolved. Here we will consider usage of the term macroevolution in a few key works, as well as present a definition of macroevolution that we endorse. [...] Lieberman and Eldredge (2014) defined macroevolution as “the patterns and processes pertaining to the birth, death, and persistence of species” and we adopt this definition here.”}} However, the exact usage of the term has varied throughout history.<ref name=":1"></ref><ref name="DAOAL1"></ref><ref name=":2">{{cite book |last=Filipchenko|first=J. |title=Variabilität und Variation |publisher=[[Gebrüder Borntraeger Verlagsbuchhandlung|Borntraeger]] |year=1927 |location=Berlin}}</ref> | ||
Macroevolution addresses the evolution of species and higher taxonomic groups ([[genera]], [[Family_(biology)|families]], [[Order_(biology)|orders]], etc) and uses evidence from [[phylogenetics]],<ref name="Rolland2022a"></ref> the fossil record,<ref name="GEOL331a"></ref> and molecular biology to answer how different taxonomic groups exhibit different [[species diversity]] and/or [[Phenotypic_disparity|morphological disparity]].<ref name="Gregory2008a">{{cite journal |last1=Gregory |first1=T.R. |title=Evolutionary Trends |journal=Evo Edu Outreach |date=June 25, 2008 |volume=1 |issue=3 |pages=259–273 |doi=10.1007/s12052-008-0055-6 |issn=1936-6434|doi-access=free }}</ref> | Macroevolution addresses the evolution of species and higher taxonomic groups ([[genera]], [[Family_(biology)|families]], [[Order_(biology)|orders]], etc) and uses evidence from [[phylogenetics]],<ref name="Rolland2022a"></ref> the fossil record,<ref name="GEOL331a"></ref> and molecular biology to answer how different taxonomic groups exhibit different [[species diversity]] and/or [[Phenotypic_disparity|morphological disparity]].<ref name="Gregory2008a">{{cite journal |last1=Gregory |first1=T.R. |title=Evolutionary Trends |journal=Evo Edu Outreach |date=June 25, 2008 |volume=1 |issue=3 |pages=259–273 |doi=10.1007/s12052-008-0055-6 |issn=1936-6434|doi-access=free }}</ref> | ||
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{{Text and translation | {{Text and translation | ||
| Auf die Weise hebt die heutige Genetik zweifellos den Schleier von der Evolution der Biotypen, Jordanone und Linneone (eine Art Mikroevolution), dagegen jene Evolution der höheren systematischen Gruppen, welche von jeher die Geister besonders für sich in Anspruch genommen hat (eine Art Makroevolution), liegt gänzlich außerhalb ihres Gesichtsfeldes, und dieser Umstand scheint uns die von uns oben angeführten Erwägungen über das Fehlen einer inneren Beziehung zwischen der Genetik und der Deszendenzlehre, die sich ja hauptsächlich mit der Makroevolution befaßt, nur zu unterstreichen. | | Auf die Weise hebt die heutige Genetik zweifellos den Schleier von der Evolution der Biotypen, Jordanone und Linneone (eine Art Mikroevolution), dagegen jene Evolution der höheren systematischen Gruppen, welche von jeher die Geister besonders für sich in Anspruch genommen hat (eine Art Makroevolution), liegt gänzlich außerhalb ihres Gesichtsfeldes, und dieser Umstand scheint uns die von uns oben angeführten Erwägungen über das Fehlen einer inneren Beziehung zwischen der Genetik und der Deszendenzlehre, die sich ja hauptsächlich mit der Makroevolution befaßt, nur zu unterstreichen.| In this way, modern genetics undoubtedly lifts the veil from the evolution of biotypes, Jordanones and Linneones [i.e. variations within a species]{{efn|name="BiotJordLinn" | The terms ('biotypes', 'Jordanone', and 'Linneone') used here by Filipchenko were/are rarely used among non-Russian speaking scientists. According to Krasil'nikov (1958),<ref name="Krasil1958a">{{cite book |last1=Krasilʹnikov |first1=Nikolaĭ Aleksandrovich |title=Soil microorganisms and higher plants |date=1958 |publisher=Academy of Sciences of the USSR |location=Moscow |url=https://www.soilandhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/01aglibrary/010112.krasilnikov.pdf}}</ref> these terms were used to describe the variety of forms observed within a single species: ''"With the development of genetics the concept of species widened according to the ideas of variability and heredity of organisms. New terms were introduced for the determination of species subdivision, such as "biotype", "pure line", "jardanon", "linneon", etc. ["Jardanon"--a simple means of classification of lower organisms. "Linneon"--the complex of "jardanons"--according to the Russian concept, the inner species variety of forms does not exceed the limits of qualitative unity of the species.]"''}} (a kind of microevolution), but that evolution of the higher systematic groups, which has always particularly occupied the minds of men (a kind of macroevolution), lies entirely outside its field of vision, and this circumstance seems to us only to emphasize the considerations we have given above about the lack of an inner relationship between genetics and the theory of descent, which is mainly concerned with macroevolution. | Yuri Filipchenko, ''Variabilität und Variation'' (1927), pages 93-94<ref name=":2" /> | ||
}} | }} | ||
Filipchenko believed that the origin of families must require the sudden appearance of new traits which are different in greater magnitude compared to the characters required for the origin of a genus or species. However, this view is no longer consistent with contemporary understanding of evolution. Furthermore, the [[Taxonomic_rank#Significance_and_problems|Linnaean ranks]] of ‘genus’ (and higher) are not real entities but arbitrary concepts.<ref name="Hendricks2014a">{{cite journal |last1=Hendricks |first1=Jonathan R. |last2=Saupe |first2=Erin E |last3=Myers |first3=Corinne E. |last4=Hermsen |first4=Elizabeth J. |last5=Allmon |first5=Warren D. |title=he generification of the fossil record. |journal=Paleobiology |date=2014 |volume=40 |issue=4 |pages=511–528 |doi=10.1666/13076}}</ref><ref name="DAOAL1"></ref> | |||
The term ''macroevolution'' was adopted by Filipchenko's protégé [[Theodosius Dobzhansky]] in his book ''‘Genetics und the Origin of Species’'' (1937) and in ''The Material Basis of Evolution'' (1940) by the geneticist [[Richard Goldschmidt]], a close friend of Filipchenko.<ref name="Adams1990a"></ref> Goldschmidt suggested [[Saltational evolution|saltational evolutionary changes]]<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Goldschmidt|first=R.|title=Some aspects of evolution|journal=Science|year=1933|volume=78|issue=2033|pages=539–547|doi=10.1126/science.78.2033.539|pmid=17811930|bibcode=1933Sci....78..539G}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Goldschmidt|first=R.|title=The material basis of evolution|publisher=Yale University Press|year=1940}}</ref> which found a moderate revival in the hopeful monster concept of [[evolutionary developmental biology]] (or evo-devo).<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Theißen|first=Günter|date=March 2009|title=Saltational evolution: hopeful monsters are here to stay|journal=Theory in Biosciences|language=en|volume=128|issue=1|pages=43–51|doi=10.1007/s12064-009-0058-z|pmid=19224263|s2cid=4983539|issn=1431-7613}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Rieppel, Olivier|title=Turtles as hopeful monsters : origins and evolution|date=13 March 2017|isbn=978-0-253-02507-4|location=Bloomington, Indiana|oclc=962141060}}</ref> Occasionally such dramatic changes can lead to novel features that survive. | |||
As an alternative to saltational evolution, [[Dobzhansky]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Dobzhanski|first=T.|title=Genetics and the origin of species.|publisher=Columbia University Press|year=1937}}</ref> suggested that the difference between macroevolution and microevolution reflects essentially a difference in time-scales, and that macroevolutionary changes were simply the sum of microevolutionary changes over geologic time. This view became broadly accepted in the middle of the last century but it has been challenged by a number of scientists who claim that microevolution is necessary but not sufficient to explain macroevolution. This is the decoupled view (see below).<ref name="Gould2002a" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> | |||
As an alternative to saltational evolution, [[Dobzhansky]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Dobzhanski|first=T.|title=Genetics and the origin of species.|publisher=Columbia University Press|year=1937}}</ref> suggested that the difference between macroevolution and microevolution reflects essentially a difference in time-scales, and that macroevolutionary changes were simply the sum of microevolutionary changes over geologic time. This view became broadly accepted | |||
== Microevolution vs Macroevolution == | == Microevolution vs Macroevolution == | ||
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The '''‘Extrapolation’''' view holds that macroevolution is merely cumulative microevolution. | The '''‘Extrapolation’''' view holds that macroevolution is merely cumulative microevolution. | ||
The '''‘Decoupled’''' view holds that there are separate macroevolutionary processes that cannot be sufficiently explained by microevolutionary processes alone.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ayala Francisco J |date=1983|name-list-style= and |editor-last1 = Asquith | editor-first1= Peter D| editor-last2=Nickles|editor-first2= Thomas |title=PSA 1982 |volume=2|publisher=Philosophy of Science Association |pages=118–132 |chapter=Beyond Darwinism? The Challenge of Macroevolution to the Synthetic Theory of Evolution |isbn=}}</ref><ref name="Levinton2001">{{cite book | vauthors = Levinton Jeffrey S | date = 2001 | title = Genetics, Paleontology, and Macroevolution 2nd edition | publisher = Cambridge University Press | place = Cambridge, UK | isbn = 0-521-80317-9}}</ref><ref name="Rolland2022a"></ref><ref name="Simons2002a">{{cite journal |last1=Simons |first1=Andrew M. |title=The continuity of microevolution and macroevolution |journal=Journal of Evolutionary Biology |date=August 21, 2002 |volume=15 |issue=5 |pages=688–701 |doi=10.1046/j.1420-9101.2002.00437.x}}</ref><ref name="Erwin2001a">{{cite journal |last1=Erwin |first1=Douglas H. |title=Macroevolution is more than repeated rounds of microevolution |journal=Evolution & Development |date=December 24, 2001 |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=78–84 |doi=10.1046/j.1525-142x.2000.00045.x|pmid=11258393 }}</ref><ref name="Adams1990a">{{cite journal |last1=Adams |first1=Mark B |title=Filipchenko [Philiptschenko], Iurii Aleksandrovich. |journal=Dictionary of Scientific Biography |date=1990 |volume=17 |issue=297–303 |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/filipchenko-philiptschenko-iurii-aleksandrovich}}</ref><ref name="DAOAL1"></ref><ref name="Moran2022a">{{cite web |last1=Moran |first1=Laurence A. |title=Macroevolution |url=https://sandwalk.blogspot.com/2022/10/macroevolution.html |website=Sandwalk Blog |date=October 13, 2022}}</ref> | The '''‘Decoupled’''' view holds that there are separate macroevolutionary processes that cannot be sufficiently explained by microevolutionary processes alone.<ref name="Gould2002a"></ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Ayala Francisco J |date=1983|name-list-style= and |editor-last1 = Asquith | editor-first1= Peter D| editor-last2=Nickles|editor-first2= Thomas |title=PSA 1982 |volume=2|publisher=Philosophy of Science Association |pages=118–132 |chapter=Beyond Darwinism? The Challenge of Macroevolution to the Synthetic Theory of Evolution |isbn=}}</ref><ref name="Levinton2001">{{cite book | vauthors = Levinton Jeffrey S | date = 2001 | title = Genetics, Paleontology, and Macroevolution 2nd edition | publisher = Cambridge University Press | place = Cambridge, UK | isbn = 0-521-80317-9}}</ref><ref name="Rolland2022a"></ref><ref name="Simons2002a">{{cite journal |last1=Simons |first1=Andrew M. |title=The continuity of microevolution and macroevolution |journal=Journal of Evolutionary Biology |date=August 21, 2002 |volume=15 |issue=5 |pages=688–701 |doi=10.1046/j.1420-9101.2002.00437.x}}</ref><ref name="Erwin2001a">{{cite journal |last1=Erwin |first1=Douglas H. |title=Macroevolution is more than repeated rounds of microevolution |journal=Evolution & Development |date=December 24, 2001 |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=78–84 |doi=10.1046/j.1525-142x.2000.00045.x|pmid=11258393 }}</ref><ref name="Adams1990a">{{cite journal |last1=Adams |first1=Mark B |title=Filipchenko [Philiptschenko], Iurii Aleksandrovich. |journal=Dictionary of Scientific Biography |date=1990 |volume=17 |issue=297–303 |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/filipchenko-philiptschenko-iurii-aleksandrovich}}</ref><ref name="DAOAL1"></ref><ref name="Moran2022a">{{cite web |last1=Moran |first1=Laurence A. |title=Macroevolution |url=https://sandwalk.blogspot.com/2022/10/macroevolution.html |website=Sandwalk Blog |date=October 13, 2022}}</ref> | ||
Within microevolution, the evolutionary process of changing heritable characteristics (e.g. changes in allele frequencies) is described by [[population genetics]], with mechanisms such as [[mutation]], [[natural selection]], and [[genetic drift]],<ref name=":0"></ref> and [[speciation]] (e.g. [[sympatric]] and [[allopatric]] speciation), [[phyletic gradualism]] and [[punctuated equilibrium]].<ref name="Saupe2021a"></ref> Macroevolution asks how higher taxonomic groups ([[genera]], [[Family_(biology)|families]], [[Order_(biology)|orders]], etc) have evolved across geography and vast spans of [[geological time]]. Important questions and topics include: | Within microevolution, the evolutionary process of changing heritable characteristics (e.g. changes in allele frequencies) is described by [[population genetics]], with mechanisms such as [[mutation]], [[natural selection]], and [[genetic drift]],<ref name=":0"></ref> and [[speciation]] (e.g. [[sympatric]] and [[allopatric]] speciation), [[phyletic gradualism]] and [[punctuated equilibrium]].<ref name="Saupe2021a"></ref> Macroevolution asks how higher taxonomic groups ([[genera]], [[Family_(biology)|families]], [[Order_(biology)|orders]], etc) have evolved across geography and vast spans of [[geological time]]. Important questions and topics include: | ||
* How different species are related to each other is addressed by [[phylogenetics]]. | * How different species are related to each other is addressed by [[phylogenetics]]. | ||
* The rates of evolutionary change and across time in the [[fossil record]].<ref name="Rolland2022a"></ref> Why do some groups experience a lot of change while others remain morphologically stable | * The rates of evolutionary change and across time in the [[fossil record]].<ref name="Rolland2022a"></ref> Why do some groups experience a lot of change while others remain morphologically stable, as in [[living fossils|''living fossils'']]?<ref name="Kin2014a">{{Cite journal|last1=Kin|first1=Adrian|last2=Błażejowski|first2=Błażej|date=2014-10-02|title=The Horseshoe Crab of the Genus Limulus: Living Fossil or Stabilomorph?|journal=PLOS ONE|language=en|volume=9|issue=10|pages=e108036|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0108036|issn=1932-6203|pmc=4183490|pmid=25275563|bibcode=2014PLoSO...9j8036K|doi-access=free}}</ref> | ||
* [[Mass extinctions]] and [[adaptive radiation|evolutionary diversifications]],<ref name="GEOL331a"></ref> e.g. the [[Permian-Triassic]] and [[End Cretaceous|Cretaceous-Paleogene]] events, the [[Cambrian Explosion]] and [[Cretaceous Terrestrial Revolution]]. | * [[Mass extinctions]] and [[adaptive radiation|evolutionary diversifications]],<ref name="GEOL331a"></ref> e.g. the [[Permian-Triassic]] and [[End Cretaceous|Cretaceous-Paleogene]] events, the [[Cambrian Explosion]] and [[Cretaceous Terrestrial Revolution]]. | ||
* Why different taxonomic groups (even in spite of having similar ages) exhibit different survival/extinction rates, [[species diversity]], and/or [[Phenotypic_disparity|morphological disparity]]. | * Why different taxonomic groups (even in spite of having similar ages) exhibit different survival/extinction rates, [[species diversity]], and/or [[Phenotypic_disparity|morphological disparity]]. | ||
* Long-term trends in evolution | * Long-term trends in evolution, e.g. trends towards complexity or simplicity.<ref name="Gregory2008a">{{cite journal |last1=Gregory |first1=T.R. |title=Evolutionary Trends |journal=Evo Edu Outreach |date=June 25, 2008 |volume=1 |issue=3 |pages=259–273 |doi=10.1007/s12052-008-0055-6 |issn=1936-6434|doi-access=free }}</ref> | ||
* How species and higher taxa have evolved. | * How species and higher taxa have evolved, e.g. via [[gene duplication]], [[heterochrony]], [[Evolutionary_developmental_biology#The_origins_of_novelty|novelty in evo-devo]], [[facilitated variation]], and [[constructive neutral evolution]]. | ||
==Macroevolutionary processes== | ==Macroevolutionary processes== | ||
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The same concept applies to the evolution of "novel" tissues. Even fundamental tissues such as [[bone]] can evolve from combining existing [[protein]]s ([[collagen]]) with calcium phosphate (specifically, [[Hydroxyapatite|hydroxy-apatite]]). This probably happened when certain cells that make collagen also accumulated calcium phosphate to get a proto-bone cell.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Wagner |first1=Darja Obradovic |last2=Aspenberg |first2=Per |date=2011-08-01 |title=Where did bone come from? |url=|journal=Acta Orthopaedica |volume=82 |issue=4 |pages=393–398 |doi=10.3109/17453674.2011.588861 |issn=1745-3674 |pmc=3237026 |pmid=21657973}}</ref> | The same concept applies to the evolution of "novel" tissues. Even fundamental tissues such as [[bone]] can evolve from combining existing [[protein]]s ([[collagen]]) with calcium phosphate (specifically, [[Hydroxyapatite|hydroxy-apatite]]). This probably happened when certain cells that make collagen also accumulated calcium phosphate to get a proto-bone cell.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Wagner |first1=Darja Obradovic |last2=Aspenberg |first2=Per |date=2011-08-01 |title=Where did bone come from? |url=|journal=Acta Orthopaedica |volume=82 |issue=4 |pages=393–398 |doi=10.3109/17453674.2011.588861 |issn=1745-3674 |pmc=3237026 |pmid=21657973}}</ref> | ||
==Research topics== | ==Research topics== | ||
Revision as of 22:40, 18 June 2025
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Macroevolution comprises the evolutionary processes and patterns which occur at and above the species level.[1][2][3] In contrast, microevolution is evolution occurring within the population(s) of a single species. In other words, microevolution is the scale of evolution that is limited to intraspecific (within-species) variation, while macroevolution extends to interspecific (between-species) variation.[4] The evolution of new species (speciation) is an example of macroevolution. This is the common definition for 'macroevolution' used by contemporary scientists.Template:EfnTemplate:EfnTemplate:EfnTemplate:EfnTemplate:EfnTemplate:EfnTemplate:EfnTemplate:EfnTemplate:Efn However, the exact usage of the term has varied throughout history.[4][5][6]
Macroevolution addresses the evolution of species and higher taxonomic groups (genera, families, orders, etc) and uses evidence from phylogenetics,[7] the fossil record,[8] and molecular biology to answer how different taxonomic groups exhibit different species diversity and/or morphological disparity.[9]
Origin and changing meaning of the term
After Charles Darwin published his book On the Origin of Species[10] in 1859, evolution was widely accepted to be real phenomenon. However, many scientists still disagreed with Darwin that natural selection was the primary mechanism to explain evolution. Prior to the modern synthesis, during the period between the 1880s to the 1930s (dubbed the ‘Eclipse of Darwinism’) many scientists argued in favor of alternative explanations. These included ‘orthogenesis’, and among its proponents was the Russian entomologist Yuri A. Filipchenko.
Filipchenko appears to have been the one who coined the term ‘macroevolution’ in his book Variabilität und Variation (1927).[6] While introducing the concept, he claimed that the field of genetics is insufficient to explain “the origin of higher systematic units” above the species level.
Filipchenko believed that the origin of families must require the sudden appearance of new traits which are different in greater magnitude compared to the characters required for the origin of a genus or species. However, this view is no longer consistent with contemporary understanding of evolution. Furthermore, the Linnaean ranks of ‘genus’ (and higher) are not real entities but arbitrary concepts.[11][5]
The term macroevolution was adopted by Filipchenko's protégé Theodosius Dobzhansky in his book ‘Genetics und the Origin of Species’ (1937) and in The Material Basis of Evolution (1940) by the geneticist Richard Goldschmidt, a close friend of Filipchenko.[12] Goldschmidt suggested saltational evolutionary changes[13][14] which found a moderate revival in the hopeful monster concept of evolutionary developmental biology (or evo-devo).[15][16] Occasionally such dramatic changes can lead to novel features that survive.
As an alternative to saltational evolution, Dobzhansky[17] suggested that the difference between macroevolution and microevolution reflects essentially a difference in time-scales, and that macroevolutionary changes were simply the sum of microevolutionary changes over geologic time. This view became broadly accepted in the middle of the last century but it has been challenged by a number of scientists who claim that microevolution is necessary but not sufficient to explain macroevolution. This is the decoupled view (see below).[3][2][4]
Microevolution vs Macroevolution
There has been considerable debate regarding the connection between microevolution and macroevolution.[1]
The ‘Extrapolation’ view holds that macroevolution is merely cumulative microevolution.
The ‘Decoupled’ view holds that there are separate macroevolutionary processes that cannot be sufficiently explained by microevolutionary processes alone.[3][18][19][7][20][21][12][5][22]
Within microevolution, the evolutionary process of changing heritable characteristics (e.g. changes in allele frequencies) is described by population genetics, with mechanisms such as mutation, natural selection, and genetic drift,[2] and speciation (e.g. sympatric and allopatric speciation), phyletic gradualism and punctuated equilibrium.[1] Macroevolution asks how higher taxonomic groups (genera, families, orders, etc) have evolved across geography and vast spans of geological time. Important questions and topics include:
- How different species are related to each other is addressed by phylogenetics.
- The rates of evolutionary change and across time in the fossil record.[7] Why do some groups experience a lot of change while others remain morphologically stable, as in living fossils?[23]
- Mass extinctions and evolutionary diversifications,[8] e.g. the Permian-Triassic and Cretaceous-Paleogene events, the Cambrian Explosion and Cretaceous Terrestrial Revolution.
- Why different taxonomic groups (even in spite of having similar ages) exhibit different survival/extinction rates, species diversity, and/or morphological disparity.
- Long-term trends in evolution, e.g. trends towards complexity or simplicity.[9]
- How species and higher taxa have evolved, e.g. via gene duplication, heterochrony, novelty in evo-devo, facilitated variation, and constructive neutral evolution.
Macroevolutionary processes
Speciation
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Speciation is the process in which populations within one species change to an extent at which they become reproductively isolated, that is, they cannot interbreed anymore. However, this classical concept has been challenged and more recently, a phylogenetic or evolutionary species concept has been adopted. Their main criteria for new species is to be diagnosable and monophyletic, that is, they form a clearly defined lineage.[24][25]
Charles Darwin first discovered that speciation can be extrapolated so that species not only evolve into new species, but also into new genera, families and other groups of animals. In other words, macroevolution is reducible to microevolution through selection of traits over long periods of time.[26] In addition, some scholars have argued that selection at the species level is important as well.[27] The advent of genome sequencing enabled the discovery of gradual genetic changes both during speciation but also across higher taxa. For instance, the evolution of humans from ancestral primates or other mammals can be traced to numerous but individual mutations.[28]
Evolution of new organs and tissues
One of the main questions in evolutionary biology is how new structures evolve, such as new organs. Macroevolution is often thought to require the evolution of structures that are 'completely new'. However, fundamentally novel structures are not necessary for dramatic evolutionary change. As can be seen in vertebrate evolution, most "new" organs are actually not new—they are simply modifications of previously existing organs. For instance, the evolution of mammal diversity in the past 100 million years has not required any major innovation.[29] All of this diversity can be explained by modification of existing organs, such as the evolution of elephant tusks from incisors. Other examples include wings (modified limbs), feathers (modified reptile scales),[30] lungs (modified swim bladders, e.g. found in fish),[31][32] or even the heart (a muscularized segment of a vein).[33]
The same concept applies to the evolution of "novel" tissues. Even fundamental tissues such as bone can evolve from combining existing proteins (collagen) with calcium phosphate (specifically, hydroxy-apatite). This probably happened when certain cells that make collagen also accumulated calcium phosphate to get a proto-bone cell.[34]
Research topics
Subjects studied within macroevolution include:[35]
- Adaptive radiations such as the Cambrian Explosion.
- Changes in biodiversity through time.
- Evo-devo (the connection between evolution and developmental biology)
- Genome evolution, like horizontal gene transfer, genome fusions in endosymbioses, and adaptive changes in genome size.
- Mass extinctions.
- Estimating diversification rates, including rates of speciation and extinction.
- The debate between punctuated equilibrium and gradualism.
- The role of development in shaping evolution, particularly such topics as heterochrony and phenotypic plasticity.
See also
- Extinction event
- Interspecific competition
- Microevolution
- Molecular evolution
- Punctuated equilibrium
- Red Queen hypothesis
- Speciation
- Transitional fossil
- Unit of selection
Notes
References
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- ↑ Grinin, L., Markov, A. V., Korotayev, A. Aromorphoses in Biological and Social Evolution: Some General Rules for Biological and Social Forms of Macroevolution / Social evolution & History, vol.8, num. 2, 2009 [1]
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Further reading
- What is marcroevolution? (pdf) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/pala.12465
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External links
- Introduction to macroevolution
- Macroevolution as the common descent of all life
- Macroevolution in the 21st century Macroevolution as an independent discipline.
- Macroevolution FAQ
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