microevolution

Microevolution refers to small-scale evolutionary changes within populations, typically below the species level. These changes involve the accumulation of variations and shifts in allele frequencies within a population. Evidence for microevolution includes observable adaptations in natural populations, such as changes in the beaks of Galapagos finches or the development of insecticide resistance in insects.123

While microevolution focuses on minor genetic alterations, macroevolution describes larger-scale changes that can lead to the formation of new species and higher taxonomic groups. The processes driving microevolution, such as natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow, are the fundamental building blocks that, over vast periods, are believed to contribute to macroevolutionary patterns.4325