Difference between revisions of "Macroevolution"
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'''Macroevolution''' is the theory that [[natural selection]] can, given enough time, lead to the creation of new [[clade]]s which are groups of organisms consisting of a single common ancestor and all the descendants of that ancestor. Macroevolution also requires a large number of beneficial mutations. The scientific data regarding mutations causing the significant changes necessary for macroevolution is extremely damaging to the macroevolutionary position.<ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/mutations.asp</ref> <ref>http://www.trueorigin.org/mutations01.asp</ref> | '''Macroevolution''' is the theory that [[natural selection]] can, given enough time, lead to the creation of new [[clade]]s which are groups of organisms consisting of a single common ancestor and all the descendants of that ancestor. Macroevolution also requires a large number of beneficial mutations. The scientific data regarding mutations causing the significant changes necessary for macroevolution is extremely damaging to the macroevolutionary position.<ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/mutations.asp</ref> <ref>http://www.trueorigin.org/mutations01.asp</ref> | ||
| − | In spite of these apparent hurdles, scientists have been able to document | + | In spite of these apparent hurdles, scientists have been able to document a case in which species have allegedly undergone significant behavioral and biological adaptations in very short time periods (less than 40 years).<ref>http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/04/080421-lizard-evolution.html</ref> However, not only does this perceived rapid evolution contradict the wide consensus of very slow, imperceptible evolutionary changes, but it does not actually prove macroevolution as the lizards remained the same species: Podarcis sicula. |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 23:11, September 17, 2008
Macroevolution is the theory that natural selection can, given enough time, lead to the creation of new clades which are groups of organisms consisting of a single common ancestor and all the descendants of that ancestor. Macroevolution also requires a large number of beneficial mutations. The scientific data regarding mutations causing the significant changes necessary for macroevolution is extremely damaging to the macroevolutionary position.[1] [2]
In spite of these apparent hurdles, scientists have been able to document a case in which species have allegedly undergone significant behavioral and biological adaptations in very short time periods (less than 40 years).[3] However, not only does this perceived rapid evolution contradict the wide consensus of very slow, imperceptible evolutionary changes, but it does not actually prove macroevolution as the lizards remained the same species: Podarcis sicula.