microevolution
noun
mi·cro·evo·lu·tion
ˌmī-krō-ˌe-və-ˈlü-shən 
also -ˌē-və-
: comparatively minor evolutionary change involving the accumulation of variations in populations usually below the species level
Examples of microevolution in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Fully resolving the paradox will require scientists to study time spans between macro- and microevolution, Porto said — on the scale of tens, hundreds or thousands of years.
—
Quanta Magazine, 2 Jan. 2024
In the case of the new Paranthropus robustus cranium, labeled DNH 155, these new questions all centered on the tempo and mode of how human microevolution—small changes within a species—occurred in response to an evolving climate two million years ago.
—Jesse Martin, Scientific American, 25 Apr. 2021
Because of this, smaller-scale evolutionary changes within a single species or lineage over time, called microevolution, is often difficult to detect.
—Briana Pobiner and Ryan McRae, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Dec. 2021
New Paranthropus robustus fossils from South Africa show microevolution within a single species.
—Briana Pobiner and Ryan McRae, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Dec. 2021
The differences between fossils at the two sites highlight microevolution within this Paranthropus lineage.
—Briana Pobiner and Ryan McRae, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Dec. 2021
This find is the first evidence of microevolution—the changes within a population of one species over time—in early hominids, reports the Australian Associated Press.
—Rasha Aridi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Nov. 2020
Some of these teachers might even introduce evolutionary ideas such as natural selection and microevolution.
—Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2019
Rather, Abzhanov showed that the same forces that shape microevolution — minor alterations within species — also drive macroevolution, the evolution of whole new features and new groups of species.
—Quanta Magazine, 2 June 2015
Quanta Magazine, 2 Jan. 2024
In the case of the new Paranthropus robustus cranium, labeled DNH 155, these new questions all centered on the tempo and mode of how human microevolution—small changes within a species—occurred in response to an evolving climate two million years ago.
—Jesse Martin, Scientific American, 25 Apr. 2021
Because of this, smaller-scale evolutionary changes within a single species or lineage over time, called microevolution, is often difficult to detect.
—Briana Pobiner and Ryan McRae, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Dec. 2021
New Paranthropus robustus fossils from South Africa show microevolution within a single species.
—Briana Pobiner and Ryan McRae, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Dec. 2021
The differences between fossils at the two sites highlight microevolution within this Paranthropus lineage.
—Briana Pobiner and Ryan McRae, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Dec. 2021
This find is the first evidence of microevolution—the changes within a population of one species over time—in early hominids, reports the Australian Associated Press.
—Rasha Aridi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Nov. 2020
Some of these teachers might even introduce evolutionary ideas such as natural selection and microevolution.
—Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2019
Rather, Abzhanov showed that the same forces that shape microevolution — minor alterations within species — also drive macroevolution, the evolution of whole new features and new groups of species.
—Quanta Magazine, 2 June 2015
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'microevolution.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near microevolution
Cite this Entry
“Microevolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microevolution. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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microevolution
noun
mi·cro·evo·lu·tion
ˈmī-krō-ˌev-ə-ˈlü-shən also -ˌē-və-
: comparatively minor evolutionary change involving the accumulation of variations in populations usually below the species level
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