Macromutation
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Most biologists believe that adaptation occurs through the accumulation of small mutations. However, an alternative that has been suggested for this process is macromutation, essentially when a large-scale mutation produces a characteristic. This theory has generally been disregarded as the major explanation for adaptation, since a mutation on this scale is regarded as more likely to be detrimental then beneficial. However, beneficial macromutations have been known to occur: for example, the addition of body segments among arthropods may be regarded as a macromutation.
See also: evolution