Forest lizards have genetically morphed to survive life in the city, researchers say [View all]
By The Associated Press
Published January 10, 2023 at 12:03 PM CST
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Lizards that once dwelled in forests but now slink around urban areas have genetically morphed to survive life in the city, researchers have found.
The Puerto Rican crested anole, a brown lizard with a bright orange throat fan, has sprouted special scales to better cling to smooth surfaces like walls and windows and grown larger limbs to sprint across open areas, scientists say.
"We are watching evolution as it's unfolding," said Kristin Winchell, a biology professor at NYU and main author of the study published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
As urbanization intensifies around the world, it's important to understand how organisms adapt and humans can design cities in ways that support all species, Winchell said.
More:
https://www.wkms.org/npr-news/2023-01-10/forest-lizards-have-genetically-morphed-to-survive-life-in-the-city-researchers-say
Puerto Rican crested anole
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