microevolutionary
Within-species genetic change
Microevolutionary describes changes occurring at or below the species level—small-scale genetic shifts within populations over relatively short periods.
These include changes in gene frequency, adaptation to local conditions, and the emergence of new varieties: microevolutionary processes like natural selection and genetic drift.
The term contrasts with macroevolutionary, which addresses larger patterns like speciation and extinction across geological time.
Gene variant at one locus
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- gene flowAllele transfer between populations
- genetic driftRandom allele frequency change
- selection pressureForce favoring certain traits
polymorphism · frequency · variation · recombination · genotype · phenotype · hereditary · adaptation
Differential reproductive success
- sexual selectionTrait-driven reproductive advantage
- directionalIndicating a path
- stabilizingMaking firm or constant
- disruptiveTending to interrupt order
balancing · purifying · adaptive · hitchhiking · dominance · recessive · heterozygote · homozygote
Finest taxonomic rank
- generationAge-defined peer group
- breedingReproductive cultivation of organisms
- isolationComplete separation from others
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
migration · interbreeding · reproductive · subspecies · deme · demographic · lineage · descent
Of limited duration
- observableCapable of being detected
- measurableAble to be gauged
- contemporaryOf the present age
- rapidMoving with haste
incremental · gradual · generational · recent · ongoing · documented · laboratory · experimental
allele
Gene variant at one locus
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- gene flowAllele transfer between populations
- genetic driftRandom allele frequency change
selection pressure · polymorphism · frequency · variation · recombination · genotype · phenotype · hereditary · adaptation · fitness
natural selection
Differential reproductive success
- sexual selectionTrait-driven reproductive advantage
- directionalIndicating a path
- stabilizingMaking firm or constant
disruptive · balancing · purifying · adaptive · hitchhiking · dominance · recessive · heterozygote · homozygote
species
Finest taxonomic rank
- generationAge-defined peer group
- breedingReproductive cultivation of organisms
- isolationComplete separation from others
bottleneck · migration · interbreeding · reproductive · subspecies · deme · demographic · lineage · descent · cohort
short-term
Of limited duration
- observableCapable of being detected
- measurableAble to be gauged
- contemporaryOf the present age
rapid · incremental · gradual · generational · recent · ongoing · documented · laboratory · experimental · field study
micro, evolution, evolutionary, evolve, evolving, evolved, evolver, evolves, evolutionist