mass extinctions
the most drastic, sudden, and widespread extinction events caused by
extrinsic environmental change that affect many taxa simultaneously
macroevolution
Studies of evolutionary processes at or above the species level
microevolution
Studies of evolutionary processes below the species level
Punctuated Equilibrium
Lineages show long periods of relatively little change (stasis) with
brief periods of rapid change accompanying diversification
Species selection
evolutionary change caused by differential survival and speciation of
species with particular heritable traits
Cosmopolitan lineages
are widespread throughout the globe
Endemic lineages
occur in one place and nowhere else
Disjunction:
related populations, species, genera, etc occur in multiple but
widely spaced regions, but are absent from intervening regions
Continental
Formed as part of a continent and later separated, or periodically
connected via landbridge. Support biotas closely related to mainland
Oceanic:
Totally volcanic in origin, usually more recently formed, without
connection to mainland via landbridges