phyletic gradualism Theory holding that macroevolution is merely the operation of microevolution over relatively long periods of time. Thus gradual changes will eventually accumulate to the point at which descendants of an ancestral population diverge into separate species, genera, or higher-level taxa.

phyletic gradualism A theory holding that macro-evolution is merely the operation of micro-evolution, which operates gradually and more or less continuously over relatively long periods of time. Thus gradual changes will eventually accumulate to the point at which descendants of an ancestral population diverge into separate species, genera, or higher-level taxa.

phyletic gradualism A theory holding that macroevolution is merely the operation of microevolution, which operates gradually and more or less continuously over relatively long periods of time. Thus gradual changes eventually will accumulate to the point at which descendants of an ancestral population diverge into separate species, genera, or higher-level taxa.

phyletic gradualism (gradualism) A theory holding that macroevolution is merely the operation of microevolution over relatively long periods of time. Thus, gradual changes eventually will accumulate to the point at which descendants of an ancestral population diverge into separate species, genera, or higher-level taxa.