Macroevolution

Flashcards covering key concepts and vocabulary from the Macroevolution lecture.

Macroevolution

Evolutionary change above the species level.

Microevolution

Evolutionary change within a species or small group of organisms, especially over a short period.

Transitional stages

Rarely persist long due to little fossil evidence, results of relatively rapid change, and claims by creationists.

Current macroevolution winner

Beetles, with over 1.5 million extant species.

Evolutionary faunas

Groups of organisms that dominate the fauna for extended periods of time; includes Cambrian, Paleozoic, and Modern.

Tetrapods

Vertebrate animals having four feet, legs or leglike appendages.

Hox genes

Genes whose mutations have resulted in some tetrapods becoming limbless or two-limbed.

Class Aves

Class that includes birds, which may or may not fly, lay eggs, and have feathers.

Darwin's Gradualism

Involves slow and steady cumulative change leading to new species, also called phyletic gradualism.

Saltation

Sudden evolutionary changes that happen in a single generation, also called punctuated equilibrium.

Exaptation

Also known as preadaptation; evolutionary novelty often due to a change in function.

Homology

Character traits that emerge from other structures that have been modified.

Punctuated Equilibrium

A pattern where evolution occurs in bursts with periods of stasis.

Rates of Evolution

Can be variable within a lineage and low rates can produce large changes given enough time.

Novelty due to mutation

May result from a frameshift in development or change in Hox genes.