Evolution in an Urbanizing World
Evidence for evolution in urban systems is increasing, but a key outstanding question in the field of urban ecology and eco-evolutionary dynamics is whether the ability of individuals to adapt to environmental conditions (plasticity) also evolves and how this process can happen. In a new paper, Sarah Diamond and her collaborators looked to examine the... Continue Reading →
Let’s consider a scenario. You’re designing a new research project, and you realize that for the first time that you (or your students) are going to need access to private property in an urban area to answer your question properly. Do you need a permit? A permission form? Who do you ask? Should you just... Continue Reading →
Coyote have widely colonized every mayor city in the United States. A new study asks what behaviors urban coyotes exhibit and what this might tells us about the process facilitating their success in the city.
Mammals are some of the most easily recognizable and endearing critters to share our cities with us. Who doesn't love a cute bunny or squirrel in a city park? Or a fox or raccoon slinking through the streets at night. Even city rats can be endearing. Despite the commonality of these species, urban areas are... Continue Reading →
Anole invasion One of my favorite things about Florida, besides the warm weather, is that it's home to several anole lizards that have invaded from nearby. Some lizards invaders come from Cuba, like the brown anole (Anolis sagrei). Others, like the crested anole (Anolis cristatellus) come from Puerto Rico (like me!). This makes Florida a fascinating... Continue Reading →
Above: (c) Erin Walsh for Journal of Conservation Physiology on the evolution of heat tolerance in Daphnia Earlier this week, I introduced you to the aquatic flea, Daphnia magna, and its habitat in urban environments. I'll pick up where I left off and tell you now about the research I've been doing with these aquatic organisms. After... Continue Reading →
Above: (c) Erin Walsh for Journal of Conservation Physiology on the evolution of heat tolerance in Daphnia “No they do not itch”, “Yes, they are super cute”, and “Yes, they live in water”. “Also in this pond?”. Behold the standard answers given during an ‘interrogatory’ conversation with a passer-by on a sunny sampling day, somewhere in... Continue Reading →
This post is part of our series covering the large number of urban evolution manuscripts that were published in August in the special issue "The Evolution of City Life" in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Urban environments are often composed of novel communities of native and introduced species. In several cities in Germany,... Continue Reading →
Urbanization is a global form of habitat change that alters native habits and either excludes the animals that live there or forces them to acclimate to novel environments. Altering behavioral strategies can allow individuals to quickly acclimate and successfully colonize urban habitats, reproduce and live within them. In two studies presented at SICB, researchers, Dr.... Continue Reading →
Urban environments are on the rise, bringing with them pollutants from run-off which alters water temperature, chemistry, and hydrology, ultimately driving a decrease in biodiversity. These disturbances can affect the physiological stress response of fishes by increasing or dysregulating their primary stress hormone, cortisol, and potentially altering their reproductive allocation. Arseniy Kolonin, a master’s student at Texas State... Continue Reading →
A painted lady (Vanessa cardui), a species of butterfly common in urban habitats (Photo credit: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT) The urban heat island effect is a well-known consequence of urbanization whereby temperatures in cities are higher than those in surrounding natural areas. One wrinkle in the heat island effect is that the increase in temperatures is not... Continue Reading →
Urbanization has repeatedly been shown to negatively impact wild animals and is a particular concern for wild birds. Fortunately, some species are able to flexibly alter their behavioral phenotypes and adapt to the busy life in the city. Resource competition may be higher in urban environments, thereby selecting for more aggressive behaviors in city-slicking birds.... Continue Reading →
Have you ever stopped to look at the city lights at night? Have you ever wondered what impact these lights have on wildlife? Chris Thawley, Zach Forsburg, and Krystie Miner all asked this question in their research on artificial light at night, or ALAN. After exploring how ALAN, affected anoles in a laboratory setting,... Continue Reading →
With this gorgeous Tampa weather, the last thing anyone at SICB 2019 wants to think about is snow and ice. Everyone except for Megan Kobiela, a PhD candidate from University of Minnesota, who studies the effects of deicing salt on monarch butterflies. By using salt to keep roads safe in the winter, humans have dramatically... Continue Reading →
What consequences does the urban heat island effect have for animals that live in cities? How might increased heat interact with other environmental factors, such as water availability, to affect survival or fitness of animals exposed to these higher temperatures? Dustin Johnson, a masters student in Zach Stahlschmidt’s lab at University of the Pacific chose... Continue Reading →
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