Evolution in an Urbanizing World
The growing field of urban evolutionary ecology studies the impact of urbanization on its resident species. Often, that involves comparisons between conspecific urban and non-urban populations. Jackson et al. took a different perspective in this study. They analyzed the divergence between populations living in adjacent but isolated city parks. They developed their study around a... Continue Reading →
Humans are now the dominant driver of evolution. Most contemporary examples of rapid evolution in nature stem from the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on populations. A prominent example of this is how urbanization affects species' evolution. This topic has received substantial attention since 2016, with many scholars turning their research attention to the topic. Part... Continue Reading →
The Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive plant-hopper pest native to parts of China, first introduced to the United States in Berks County, PA, in 2014. According to the NYSIPM, egg masses were hypothesized to have arrived in stone shipments in 2012. Since its introduction, there have been Spotted Lanternfly reports in Indiana, Michigan,... Continue Reading →
As urban areas continue to expand, nearby wildlife must either adapt to the effects of urbanization or flee to natural spaces. The species impacted by urbanization typically fall into one of three categories: urban avoiders, urban adaptors, or urban exploiters. Coyotes (Canis latrans) are classified as urban adaptors due to their ability to live on... Continue Reading →
Urban-rural gradients: how landscape changes drive adaptive evolution of plant competitive traits Yuya Fukano, Kei Uchida, Yuuya Tachiki Abstract The role of competition in local adaptation and the associated traits underlying adaptation remain unclear. One reason for the lack of evidence may be that plant-plant competition is ubiquitous in natural environments; thus, local adaptation to... Continue Reading →
In a previous post titled Meta-analysis of Urban Bird Phenology, we discussed how urban conditions have affected the average value of phenology and reproductive phenotypes in bird species. Capilla-Lasheras et al. found that urban bird populations had lower values than their non-urban conspecifics for three life-history traits, indicating earlier lay dates, smaller clutch sizes, and... Continue Reading →
Humans have significantly impacted environmental conditions and landscapes for several decades through our urban expansion. These changes have produced selective pressures different from those present in non-urban areas. In response to these selective pressures, many species have diverged in physical, behavioral, and reproductive traits between their urban and non-urban populations. In addition, urban landscapes are... Continue Reading →
Hurricanes can shape ecosystems, but little is known about how they affect urban populations. This study compared 3 urban and forest sites in Puerto Rico in the months following Hurricane Maria. They found that populations of Anolis cristatellus both increased and decreased in population size after the storm. But populations closest to the point of landfall had the largest consistent population growth throughout the study period.
Urbanization driving changes in plant species and communities – A global view Renata de Barros Ruas, Laís Mara Santana Costa, and Fernanda Bered Abstract The urban landscape is becoming the environment most familiar to most of humanity, which has consequences for society, the environment, and biodiversity. Here, we present a systematic review of current research... Continue Reading →
Coping with novelty across an urban mosaic: Provisioning latency increases closer to roads and is associated with species-specific reproductive success in two urban adapters Michela Corsini, Pietro Leanza, Amanda D. Rodewald, Joanna Sudyka, André A.Dhondt, and Marta Szulkin Abstract Most research on urban avian ecology has focused on population- and community-level phenomena, whereas fewer studies have examined how... Continue Reading →
Anole lizards are rapidly becoming a model for urban adaptation. Anolis cristatellus, or the Puerto Rican crested anole, is a lizard species that has a great affinity for city-living. Previous work has demonstrated shifts in toepad morphology with consequences for locomotion: urban lizards have larger toepads with more specialized sub-digital scales specialized for clinging to smooth surfaces (known... Continue Reading →
There must bee a better way: A review of published urban bee literature and suggested topics for future study Rachel A. Brant, Michael Arduser, Aimee S. Dunlap Abstract Numerous animal species can survive in human-modified habitats, but often display behavioral, morphological, physiological or genetic plasticity compared to non-urban conspecifics. One group of organisms with a... Continue Reading →
Urban rendezvous along the seashore: Ports as Darwinian field‐labs for studying marine evolution in the Anthropocene Fanny Touchard, Alexis Simon, Nicolas Bierne, and Frédérique Viard Abstract Humans have built ports on all the coasts of the world, allowing people to travel, exploit the sea, and develop trade. The proliferation of these artificial habitats and the associated... Continue Reading →
Native Lizards Living in Brazilian Cities: Effects of Developmental Environments on Thermal Sensitivity and Morpho-Functional Associations of Locomotion Nathalia Rossigalli-Costa & Tiana Kohlsdorf Abstract Environmental conditions often affect developmental processes and consequently influence the range of phenotypic variation expressed at population level. Expansion of urban sites poses new challenges for native species, as urbanization usually... Continue Reading →
It Is a Wild World in the City: Urban Wildlife Conservation and Communication in the Age of COVID-19 Ioana A. Coman, Caitlyn E. Cooper-Norris, Scott Longing, and Gad Perry Abstract Most ecosystems are increasingly being degraded and reduced by human activities at the local and global scales. In contrast, urban environments are expanding as increasing... Continue Reading →
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