What is megaevolution?
Q: What is megaevolution?
A: Megaevolution is a term which describes the most dramatic events in evolution. It refers to evolutionary processes that produce a tremendous effect, such as adaptive radiation of birds or mammals.
Q: What did Maynard Smith and Szathmáry list as major transitions in evolution?
A: Maynard Smith and Szathmáry listed eight major transitions in evolution, including replicating molecules leading to populations of molecules in protocells, RNA as gene and enzyme change to DNA genes and protein enzymes, bacterial cells leading to cells with nuclei and organelles, asexual clones leading to sexual populations, single-celled organisms leading to fungi, plants and animals, solitary individuals leading to colonies with non-reproducing castes (termites, ants & bees), primate societies leading to human societies with language.
Q: Is traditional evolutionary theory able to explain the origin of eukaryotic cells?
A: No, traditional evolutionary theory is not able explain the origin of eukaryotic cells. It is believed that this type of evolution must be a rare event which is likely due to symbiosis between prokaryotes.
Q: Are all eight items on the list from before the fossil record started?
A: Yes, all eight items on Maynard Smith and Szathmáry's list are from before the fossil record started or at least before the Phanerozoic eon.
Q: Does 'megaevolution' refer only to huge changes?
A: Yes, 'megaevolution' may be used for really huge changes while 'macroevolution' can apply more modest changes at species or genus level.
Q: Are there examples of macroevolution?
A: Yes, some examples of macroevolution include adaptive radiation of birds in Lower Cretaceous period; teleosts in Cretaceous period; flowering plants in Upper Cretaceous period; mammals in Eocene period; moths in Cretaceous period.
