New species evolve through a process called speciation. When we study macroevolution, we look at the overall pattern of change that caused the speciation to occur. This includes the diversity, speed, or direction of the change that caused the new species to emerge from the old one.

Speciation generally happens at a very slow pace. However, scientists can study the fossil record and compare the anatomy of previous species with that of today's living organisms.

When the evidence is put together, distinct patterns emerge telling a story of how speciation probably happened over time.