Urban Evolution - January 2019

We went to a fascinating lecture at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia to hear Menno Schilthuizen discuss his book “Darwin Comes to Town”. A professor of evolutionary biology at Leiden University and research scientist at Naturalis Biodiversity Center in the Netherlands, Schilthuizen studies how wildlife has not only survived, but evolved unique adaptations to thrive in urban areas.

For example, pigeons in cities have darker feathers and have evolved to better rid their bodes of heavy metals. Mice in New York’s Central Park have evolved to digest fatty foods left by humans. Mosquito species have evolved different lifestyles to live successfully in London subways. His studies offer some hope that plants and animals will be able to survive in our increasingly human dominated world.

More information on Menno Schilthuizen here : https://schilthuizen.com/the-author/