Evolution in an Urbanizing World
The air is getting crisper, leaves are finally changing colors, and pumpkin spice lattes have been at Starbucks for over a month now. It is definitely fall. While we enjoy harvest festivals and simultaneously lament the end of warm days, most animals are readying themselves for winter. For bats, fall is a migration period. Most... Continue Reading →
Welcome to Urban Observation of the Week: Halloween Edition 2019! This year, we're celebrating Halloween by featuring an oft-forgotten taxon in the world of urban evolution: fungi. This kingdom is remarkably prepared for a holiday dedicated to all things creepy. Below are some examples of fungi that could go trick-or-treating any day of the year... Continue Reading →
If you have ever been to the desert Southwest (of the USA), you have probably noticed spider webs throughout the summer and even in early fall. And even if you have not noticed the webs, you'll likely have seen leaves that look like they are floating in the air, which is really leaves stuck in... Continue Reading →
Last year I saw this tweet that so deeply resonated with me: https://twitter.com/rodger/status/1075094981193265154?lang=en Squirrels are abundant across my own campus in New York City and I have heard numerous students remark that our squirrels are somehow better/different than the squirrels in the rest of the city. We've even had our fair share of squirrels in... Continue Reading →
Most of the time we expect pigeons or other common birds to be spotted on the power lines and poles. Sometimes, we get a rare gem, the bald eagle! We have shown you a number of birds in these "Urban Observation" posts. This one is super majestic for sure. But sadly, many birds have... Continue Reading →
The field of urban evolution is relatively young, but researchers have been fascinated by animal movement through cities for quite some time. Recently, I was perusing the archives of the Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society and came across a note by Sidney Hessel detailing the movements of monarch butterflies through Manhattan. He observed 82 monarchs... Continue Reading →
This week our observation comes from Dr. Christy Zolnik who spotted this Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) on the southern edge of Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, New York City. We've posted about Red-tailed Hawks before as part of our Urban Observation of the Week, but seeing hawks in the city never ceases to amaze me.... Continue Reading →
Virginia opossums (also known as "opossums" or "possums") might be common in suburbs (we've seen them nesting in a BBQ grill), but they're rather rare in city centers. That's why reddit user ShabShoral was surprised to see an opossum hanging out in front of the makeup store Sephora at Union Square in New York City.... Continue Reading →
This tribute also corresponds with another annual ritual -- the migration of birds from their summering grounds north of New York City, to their wintering grounds south of the city
Marine mammals might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the bright lights of the big city, but in the Inwood neighborhood of New York City (located at the very top of Manhattan), there has been an exciting visitor -- a male harbor seal (Phoca vitulina). Thanks to rescue and... Continue Reading →
I've just returned from spending a summer in Panama City, Panama, where I was an intern at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). Specifically, I worked on University of Nevada Reno Assistant Professor Michael Logan's project, titled The Genomic Basis of Thermal Adaptation: A Large-Scale Transplant Experiment in the Panama Canal. If you're interested, you... Continue Reading →
It's hot out there! This summer has seen excessive heat waves sweeping the world and breaking records - many places recorded the hottest summer temperatures ever! What does an ectotherm do to chill out in this extreme heat? This frog has found an unusual solution and is our urban observation of the week. https://www.instagram.com/p/B0HrHVlBgHN/?igshid=pb6g3al3s2g Do... Continue Reading →
Did you know that all toads are frogs but not all frogs are toads? Frogs are found in and near water while true toads are found on land. This toad was found on a pile of trash, still on land though! Thanks to Julia Riley for this great urban observation. Julia was also a co-author... Continue Reading →
It can be super scary to see a wasp nest in your neighborhood. Wasps can cause a very painful sting. Sometimes their nests can cause damage to your property too. But these critters also provide important ecosystem services - they help control pest insects and pollinate flowers! You may have heard of birds making nests... Continue Reading →
Most of the time when you hear about an animal in your car engine, its a kitten in the winter seeking warmth. Bet you never thought you'd see a crab in your engine! Thank you Jose A. Velez Torres of Puerto Rico for this gem! Do you have a photo or video of an urban... Continue Reading →
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