What characterizes macroevolution?

Macroevolution refers to significant evolutionary developments that occur at or above the level of species, leading to the emergence of new species, genera, families, or higher taxonomic groups over extensive periods of geological time. This concept encompasses large-scale evolutionary patterns and processes, including speciation events, mass extinctions, and major evolutionary transitions that contribute to biodiversity.

The focus on evolutionary changes above the species level is what distinguishes macroevolution from microevolution, which deals with changes within a species or population over shorter timeframes. In the context of macroevolution, factors such as the accumulation of genetic changes, adaptive radiations, and the influence of environmental changes on evolutionary pathways are crucial for understanding how various groups of organisms evolve and diversify over millions of years. This makes the characteristic of macroevolution distinct and specific to broader evolutionary trends rather than to immediate adaptations or changes within a single species.