How Storms Shape Lizards: A Tale of Evolution and Survival

Hurricanes are more than just powerful storms; they can drive evolution in surprising ways. Take the brown anole lizard, for example. These critters have been spreading across the southeastern United States for over a century. During this time, they've faced a lot of hurricanes. Scientists wanted to see if these storms left a mark on the lizards. They studied 30 different sites. Each site had a different history of hurricanes. The team looked at the lizards' bodies and their genes. They found something interesting. Lizards in areas with more hurricanes had longer limbs and bigger toepads. These features help them hold on tight during stormy winds. Other traits, not linked to clinging, didn't change much.The team also looked at the lizards' DNA. They found that hurricanes leave a lasting genetic signature. Certain genes were strongly linked to both hurricane frequency and longer limbs. This shows that hurricanes shape not just the lizards' bodies, but also their genes. What's more, hurricanes have a bigger impact on these lizards than other environmental factors. This is a big deal. It shows how extreme weather can drive evolution. As climate change brings more hurricanes, it could alter the course of evolution for these lizards and maybe other species too.