Macroevolution vs. Megaevolution
Main DifferenceThe main difference between Macroevolution, and Megaevolution is that Macroevolution is an evolutionary change that is occurring at or above the species level; whereas, Megaevolution is an evolutionary change that is happening at Class, Phylum or Division level.
Difference Between Macroevolution and Megaevolution
Macroevolution vs. Megaevolution
Macroevolution occurs greater than or equal to the species level; while, Megaevolution is evolutionary modify that is happening at Class, Phylum or Division level.
Macroevolution vs. Megaevolution
Macroevolution impacts at the species level or above it; however, in the case of Megaevolution, its impacts are at a level of biological systems leading to major differences.
Macroevolution vs. Megaevolution
Macroevolution, the resultants are New species, genera, families, etc.; however, Megaevolution results in the formation of new biological organization systems over the period.
Macroevolution vs. Megaevolution
Macroevolution is driven by micro mutation, genetic divergence, and adaptive radiation, but, the actual driving force in case of Megaevolution is still unknown as these changes occur so rare and one time in million years.
Macroevolutionnoun
Large-scale patterns or processes in the history of life, including the origins of novel organism designs, evolutionary trends, adaptive radiations and extinctions.
Megaevolutionnoun
Very large-scale evolution
Macroevolutionnoun
evolution on a large scale extending over geologic era and resulting in the formation of new taxonomic groups
Comparison Chart
| Macroevolution | Megaevolution |
| Evolutionary change at a level of species or above. | Large scale evolutionary change at a level of Classes, Phylum, or divisions. |
| Impact | |
| At species level | At biological system |
| Resultants | |
| New species, genera, families, etc | Formation of a new biological organization system |
| Occurrence | |
| Evolutionary change is massively occurring over long time scales. | It has occurred only a few times in the entire evolutionary history. |
| Driving Force | |
| It involves micro mutation, genetic divergence, and adaptive radiation. | The actual driving force leading to mega evolution is still unknown. |
Macroevolution vs. Megaevolution
Macroevolution is a developmental change that occurs at or above the species level; on the other hand, Megaevolution is an evolving change that is occurring at Class, Phylum or Division level. Macroevolution, the evolutionary change occurs at the species level or above it, however, in the case of Megaevolution this evolutionary change has its impacts at a level of biological systems leading to major differences.
Macroevolution, the resultants are New species, genera, families, etc., while discussing the Megaevolution the resultants found are the formation of new biological organization systems over the period.
Macroevolution is a result of a massive evolutionary change that occurs over time but Megaevolution has occurred only a few times in entire evolutionary history from the beginning of this earth till now.
Macroevolution is driven by micro mutation, genetic divergence and adaptive radiation that produce major changes at the macro level, but contrary to Macro environment, in Megaevolution, the actual driving force is still unknown as these changes occur so rare and one time in million years.
What is Macroevolution?
Macroevolution is an evolutionary change that occurs at or above the species level. As at this stage of evolution, the change surpasses the level of single species, and it does not remain a change of micro-level rather, it becomes a type of evolutionary change that has occurred at the species level or above it making it Macroevolution. The resultants of this type of evolution are new species, genera, families, etc.
These changes are results of a massive evolutionary change that occurs over time, unlike Microevolution, which is an over-time taking a shorter time. Macroevolution is resultant from Microevolutionary variations; the change here is the period that is required for this large scale alteration. There are new additions and deletions in the genetic structure which produce new species or genre.
As there are many barriers in providing experimental proofs along with a barrier of a large scale of time because it takes thousands of years to take place hence more time than the micro-level of evolution, the creationists do not support this type of evolution. Macroevolution is driven by forces like micro-mutation, genetic divergence, and adaptive radiation that produce major changes resulting in macro-level changes. Some of the examples are as to how the birds evolved from dinosaurs and the evolution of tetrapods from fish.
As in the case of Asian and African elephants, these two species cannot mate with each other because of the changes embraced by their reproductive isolation. Macroevolution here describes the difference between these two close and distinct species, which is known as speciation that occurs through various mechanisms.
What is Megaevolution?
Megaevolution is an evolutionary change that is happening at Class, Phylum, or Division level. As, at this stage of evolution, the change surpasses the level of species, phylum, and classes, and it does not remain a change of macro-level rather, it becomes a type of evolutionary change that has occurred at the biological system-level making it Megaevolution. This evolutionary change has its impacts at a level of biological systems leading to major differences.
While discussing the Megaevolution, the resultants found are the formation of new biological organization systems over the period. Megaevolution has occurred only a few times in the entire evolutionary history from the beginning of this earth till now. Like Macroevolution, there are many barriers in providing experimental proofs along with a barrier of a large scale of time because it takes millions of years to take place; that’s why the creationists do not support this type of evolution.
Contrary to both the Micro and Macro environment, the actual driving force is still unknown as these changes occur so rare and one time in million years. Examples for this type of evolution include the origin of plants, animals, and micro-organisms. As the scientists believe, the evolution of prokaryotes in the history to different eukaryotic cells is the base upon which these current kingdoms like Animalia and Plantae are standing. The evolution of amphibians from fishes, birds, and mammals from reptiles are also examples of this type of evolution.
ConclusionMacroevolution is an evolutionary change that occurs at or above species level leading to the creation of new species, however, Megaevolution is a very rare evolutionary change that happens at a level of Class, Phylum or Division.
