microevolution

American  

[mahy-kroh-ev-uh-loo-shuhn, -ee-vuh-] / ˌmaɪ kroʊˌɛv əˈlu ʃən, -ˌi və- /

noun

Biology.

1. evolutionary change involving the gradual accumulation of mutations leading to new varieties within a species.

2. minor evolutionary change observed over a short period of time.

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microevolution Scientific  

/ mī′krō-ĕv′ə-lo̅o̅′shən /

1. Evolutionary change below the level of the species, resulting from relatively small genetic variations. Microevolution produces new strains of microorganisms, for example, or the rise of a new subspecies. The accumulation of many microevolutionary changes results in macroevolution.

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Other Word Forms

• microevolutionary
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of microevolution

First recorded in 1935–40; micro- + evolution

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

microevolution

In summary, any of these conditions can result in deviations from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium—and lead to the microevolution of a population.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

The change would have been the result of microevolution, or an evolutionary change occurring within a species.

From New York Times ● Nov. 9, 2020

To get samples from other species, Dr. Carlton has enlisted the aid of a Fordham University biologist, Jason Munshi-South, who studies the travel patterns and microevolution of rodents in the city.

From New York Times ● Apr. 7, 2017

Additional layers of diversity are generated by clonal expansion, microevolution and phenotypic plasticity. c, Relative stability of M1/PT-like genomes after manifestation of metastasis.

From Nature ● Sep. 18, 2013

The theory also connects this gradual change of a population over time, called microevolution, with the processes that gave rise to new species and higher taxonomic groups with widely divergent characters, called macroevolution.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013

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