What are five things that support the theory of macro-evolution?

Answer 1

First of all, it should be noted that there isn't really a "theory of macro-evolution". There is the theory of evolution by natural selection, which describes and explains change at both the level of individual lineages, and the pattern formed by branching lineages.

First is the pattern of nested hierarchies formed by all extant life forms. This pattern is apparent from their overall morphology, but also in their behaviour, and ultimately in their genes. The genetic nested hierarchy strongly implies ancestral kinships, and neatly overlays similar classification schemes based on inherited physiological traits or by embryological development.

Second would be the existence of fossils which not only show that change has taken place, but also the type of change, since these fossils too follow similar patterns of nested hierarchies.

Third would be the observation of numerous speciation-events - some having lead to distinct and separate species, and others still in the stage of increasing divergence between subpopulations within the same species.

Fourth would be the observation of "micro-evolutionary" changes, following a pattern that is consistent with what one would expect if the overall theory were true, but from which one must also infer that "macro-evolutionary" divergence must, ultimately, follow.

Fifth, we would expect geographic trends in the diversification of species. The further removed one breeding population is from another, the greater the anatomical differences we would expect to accumulate over time. This phenomenon is asl known as "race circles," and is exemplified by salamanders ranging from California down through Mexico, in rodent species divided by the edges of the Grand Canyon, and in pigeon populations Charles Darwin noted himself in "On the Origin of Species."

On a larger scale, new world primate populations have a particular dentition distinct from that of old world primates, plus they have prehensile tails. All species of South American primates are platyrrhines, whereas African primates (not including tarsiers, lemurs, and lorises) are catarrhines, with a different tooth structure and without prehensile tails.

All the mammals native to Australia bigger than bats and rats are marsupials. The dingo was likely brought to the island by early aborigines. Evolution explains that the early marsupial mammal form migrated there and thrived without competition from placental mammals for millions of years. Where placentals evolved they gradually replaced most marsupial varieties.

Answer 2

1. Fossil record showing transitional forms between species.
2. Comparative anatomy and embryology revealing similarities among different species.
3. Genetic evidence demonstrating common ancestry through shared sequences.
4. Biogeography indicating distribution patterns consistent with evolutionary history.
5. Observations of natural selection driving changes in populations over time.