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{{stub}}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.  One method this could be produced by is the "duplication and divergance", of genes <ref>From DNA to Diversity: Molecular Genetics and the Evolution of Animal Design

{{stub}}Macroevolution is the hypothesized process within [[evolution]] that can lead to the creation of new clades, groups of organisms consisting of a single common ancestor, and all the descendants of that ancestor.  [[Paleontology]], [[developmental biology]], and [[comparative genomics]] contribute most of the empirical evidence for the known patterns and processes that can be classified as macroevolution.

by Sean B. Carroll, Jennifer K. Grenier, Scott D. Weatherbee</ref>. Macroevolution requires a large number of beneficial mutations. Creationists claim that 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 Answers in Genesis - Mutations]</ref><ref>[http://www.trueorigin.org/mutations01.asp Answers in Genesis - Mutations part 2]</ref>

 

 

:[[natural selection]] - is the mechanism by which allele frequency within a population changes over time due to genetic variation and selection pressures.<ref>http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/evo101/IIIENaturalSelection.shtml</ref>

:[[genetic drift]] - is the statistical effect that results from the influence that chance has on the survival of alleles.<ref>http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/evo101/IIIDGeneticdrift.shtml</ref>

:[[sexual selection]] - is the hypothesis proposed by Charles Darwin that states that the frequency of traits can increase or decrease depending on the attractiveness of the bearer.<ref>http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/evo101/IIIE3Sexualselection.shtml</ref>

:[[neutral evolution]] - is the vast majority of molecular differences are selectively "neutral." The molecular changes represented by these differences do not influence the fitness of the individual organism. As a result, these genomic features are neither subject to, nor explicable by, natural selection.<ref>http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/evo101/IIIE5bNeutraltheory.shtml</ref>

:[[allopatric speciation]] - is when a population splits into two geographically isolated allopatric populations then undergo genotypic and/or phenotypic divergence as they become subjected to dissimilar selective pressures or they independently undergo genetic drift.<ref>http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/S/Speciation.html</ref><ref>http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/evo101/VC1bAllopatric.shtml</ref>

:[[peripatric speciation]] - is when new species are formed in isolated, small peripheral populations which are prevented from exchanging genes with the main population.<ref>http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/evo101/VC1cPeripatric.shtml</ref>

:[[parapatric speciation]] - is when the zones of two diverging populations are separate but do overlap.<ref>http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/evo101/VC1dParapatric.shtml</ref>

:[[sympatric speciation]]- is when species diverge while inhabiting the same place.<ref>http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/evo101/VC1eSympatric.shtml</ref>

 

 

Macroevolution requires a large number of beneficial mutations. Creationists claim that 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 Answers in Genesis - Mutations]</ref><ref>[http://www.trueorigin.org/mutations01.asp Answers in Genesis - Mutations part 2]</ref>

 

 

==See also==

==See also==

[[Microevolution]]

:[[Microevolution]]

:[[Theory of Evolution]]

==References==

==References==

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