Forest lizards have genetically morphed to survive life in the city, researchers say

[Hugh_Lebowski]

1. Personally think it's more likely this is an expression of previous adaptations that were dormant

And I think the environment (esp. during gestation) can actually trigger the expression of these dormant genes.

This is a very short of period of time in these creatures history (lizards have existed for 10's of millions of years), I really doubt these adaptations suddenly cropped up in the past 100 years of heavy urbanization by humans.

My bet is they were already there, because they provided advantages in 'natural' settings as well, millions of years ago perhaps. And conditions can actually trigger their re-expression, above and beyond simple 'survival of the fittest'.

I think DNA is, in a sense, smarter than we give it credit for.