New Lit Alert: Climbing and clinging of urban lizards are differentially affected by morphology, temperature, and substrate

Climbing and clinging of urban lizards are differentially affected by morphology, temperature, and substrate P L Vaughn, C Colwell, E H Livingston, W McQueen, C Pettit, S Spears, L Tuhela, E J Gangloff Abstract Urbanization alters the environment along many dimensions, including changes to structural habitat and thermal regimes. These can present challenges, but may also provide suitable habitat for certain species.... Continue Reading →

February 23, 2023 0

Urban Observation: Dolphins in the Bronx River!

Wow, last month dolphins were spotted swimming in the Bronx River for the first time in over five years! Check out the video tweeted by NYC Parks below. https://twitter.com/NYCParks/status/1616138540672516098 The Bronx River is the only freshwater river in NYC and used to be a thriving, abundantly diverse ecosystem. In the 1840s, the New York Central... Continue Reading →

February 21, 2023 0

Life History of Teenage Mutant Painted Turtles

Danielle Sabin THE BACKGROUND When Splinter discovered four baby turtles in a New York City sewer, he had no idea what the glowing green goo was that covered their bodies. He simply cleaned them off and gave them a home. Shortly thereafter, these turtles grew very rapidly and mutated into anthropomorphic beings with proclivities for... Continue Reading →

February 17, 2023 0

(Sub) Urban Observations: Turkey Vulture

Check out this Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) soaring over the suburban streets of Texas! These birds are usually seen in more rural environments, such as farmlands or long stretches of road, but I was pleasantly surprised to have this bird soar close over my head as I walked my dog. Check out the nictitating membrane... Continue Reading →

February 7, 2023 0

(Sub) Urban Observations: Red-eared Slider

Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) are normally seen in many urban areas as a consequence of the pet trade. They are native to the Southeastern United States, and as such, they are quite prevalent in Texas suburbs. Despite their closeness to humans, these turtles can be more skittish than any bird. I took a picture... Continue Reading →

February 1, 2023 2

New Lit Alert: Influence of habitat type and distance from source area on bird taxonomic and functional diversity in a Neotropical megacity

Influence of habitat type and distance from source area on bird taxonomic and functional diversity in a Neotropical megacity Marcos Antônio Melo, Patrícia Mara Sanches, Demóstenes F. Silva Filho & Augusto João Piratelli Abstract The Neotropical region has been subjected to massive urbanization, which poses high risks for some global biodiversity hotspots and losses of... Continue Reading →

January 30, 2023 0

Urban Observation: Winter Neighbors 2: Red-eared Slider

As this tepid winter sweeps through NYC, a few careful eyes may spot a peculiar sight lounging in the mid-afternoon sun of our urban park spaces. Turtles, out and about in the middle of December! This Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) was found on December 9, 2022, at 2:06 pm; it was one of nearly... Continue Reading →

January 27, 2023 0

New Lit Alert: The effect of sex on home range in an urban population of European hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus at the southern edge of the species distribution

The effect of sex on home range in an urban population of European hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus at the southern edge of the species distribution Jana Marco-Tresserras & Germán M. López Iborra Abstract As the transformation of natural habitats into urban environments increases, some species, such as hedgehogs, are able to adapt and thrive. Six hedgehogs, three males... Continue Reading →

January 25, 2023 0

(Sub)Urban Observation: Feral Muscovy Ducks

When I returned to my hometown suburb in Texas, I was greeted by the familiar sight of Muscovy Ducks (Cairina moschata) hanging out in and around the numerous constructed wetlands that keep my suburb from going underwater. Notably, male Muscovy Ducks are the largest duck in North America! Despite being such a common sight in... Continue Reading →

January 23, 2023 0

Parallel Urban Adaptation from Phenotype to Genotype in Anolis Lizards

Anolis lizards (known as anoles) are models for studying evolution in the wild. Not only do anoles have a history of repeatedly diversifying to specialize in the same types of microhabitats in the same ways across the Greater Antilles (i.e., they are an adaptive radiation), these lizards also have a tendency to adapt on rapid... Continue Reading →

January 19, 2023 0

Rapid Evolution of Urban Water Dragons

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 →

January 18, 2023 0

Urban Observation: Winter Neighbors 1: Canada Goose

Ever notice these long-necked denizens of NYC? Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) are a familiar sight in many parks and open spaces within the city, leading complex lives. New York City boasts 3 of the 7 subspecies of the Canada Goose, and it may come as a shock to know that the one subspecies we observe... Continue Reading →

January 17, 2023 0

Urban Observation: Clash of the Titans

a red-tailed hawk and peregrine falcon clash in the sky

While huddled up in a nook on my apartment's rooftop, camera set up and aimed at the skies above, I briefly witnessed a skirmish between a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) and a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). I was able to document the interaction above my head with the featured image above. I feel so honored... Continue Reading →

January 12, 2023 0

Urban Observation: A Furry Climber

One of the last things many people expect to see at 2:13 pm is a rat in a tree! Popular belief holds that rodents are nocturnal, but as we see here with this Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus), they can and will be active during daylight hours. Brought to the United States by European ships, the... Continue Reading →

January 9, 2023 0

SICB 2023: January 7th Summary

Be sure to check out today's Urban Evolution talks and posters at SICB! TimeRoomTitleAuthors9:30 - 9:45 AMLonestar BNesting near noise and light-filled nights: The fitness consequences of combined sensory pollutantsPhillips, J.; Jones, T.; Francis, C.9:45 - 10:00 AMLonestar BHow does sensory pollution and urban vegetation affect avian diversity and nesting success?Llamas, A.; Jones, T.; Phillips,... Continue Reading →

January 7, 2023 0

Life in the City