Macroevolution

Macroevolution: Large scale changes in the appearance of species are referred to as macroevolution. Usually these changes occur more slowly, over many generations. Evidence of macroevolution comes from a variety of fields of study:

vestigial hindlimbs in whale skeleton


Biogeography: Geographic variation in the beaks of Darwin's Finches in the Galapagos Islands.

vestigial hindlimbs in whale skeleton


Comparative anatomy: Homologous bones of the forelimb in human, dog, bird, and whale.

vestigial hindlimbs in whale skeleton

Vestigial Structures: Vestigial hindlimbs (c) of the baleen whale.

vestigial hindlimbs in whale skeleton


The Fossil Record: Changes over time in the leg and foot bones of horse ancestors.

artificial selection in dogs


Artificial Selection: Selective breeding has resulted in a wide variety of distinct dog breeds.

comparing DNA sequences


Comparing DNA sequences shows us the degree of relatedness between species.