1. plural of microevolution; small-scale evolutionary changes within a species or population over relatively short time periods, typically involving changes in allele frequencies.
Usage: biology; technical

Examples

• The microevolutions observed in Darwin's finches occurred within just a few decades.
• Antibiotic resistance in bacteria represents a clear example of microevolutions in action.
• Scientists study microevolutions to understand how species adapt to environmental pressures.
• The microevolutions of peppered moths during the Industrial Revolution provided strong evidence for natural selection.
• Microevolutions can accumulate over time to eventually produce macroevolutionary changes.
• Plant breeders exploit microevolutions when selecting for desired traits in crops.