On evolutionary time scales, we know far less about the effects of extinction of rare species, but we do know that evolution can amplify the effect of a species over time through its interactions on survival of other species. (scientificamerican.com)
The influence of positive selection (the process by which a protein changes rapidly over evolutionary time scales) in expanding and diversifying animal venoms is widely recognized. (sciencedaily.com)
I mean consider how this species, a newcomer by evolutionary time scales, had become finely tuned to sustaining itself on seals hunted on sea ice, had been ravaged by uncontrolled hunting, had started recovering as such hunting was controlled, but now — along the warmest edges of its habitat — is in retreat as its main food supply is diminished at least partly by global warming from accumulating greenhouse gases. (dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com)