Evolution occurs in a remarkably random manner, but sometimes it can be the path to self-adaptation, helping species survive alongside humans.
1. Mice Evolving to Resist Poison
Some people believe these creatures could make great pets, while others view them as harmful and frightening. Those in the latter group will likely be unhappy to learn that in Europe, mice are evolving to coexist better with humans.
Algerian Mice.
They are often referred to as Algerian “super mice”, a new adaptation created by Spanish and German mice, now possessing resistance to toxins.
The super mice are the result of a process known as “hybrid speciation” — the most understandable example being the hybrid between a tiger and a lion.
The most common and effective poison used for rodent extermination today is warfarin, an anticoagulant that causes fatal bleeding when overdosed. Warfarin was introduced as the new killer of rodents in the 1950s and has been proven effective until recently. However, it now seems a serious new pest control issue is arising as these super mice may develop resistance to this toxin.
2. Elephants Evolving to Be Tuskless
Poaching has led to more African elephants being born without tusks.
Evolution is a strange process, but it makes sense. Previously, elephants with larger tusks tended to live longer, defend themselves better — and most importantly — attract more mates.
However, the illegal ivory market continues to thrive, making elephants with large tusks easier targets for poachers. This means that elephants with large tusks do not live long enough to reproduce. Meanwhile, tuskless elephants can live longer and are likely to have more offspring, leading to a higher number of tuskless calves.
It is estimated that in some locations, up to 98% of female elephants are born without tusks (a figure that used to be between 2 to 6%). However, being tuskless comes with certain consequences, as tusks are used for digging, feeding, and other activities that these tuskless elephants cannot perform similarly.
3. Bighorn Sheep Shrinking Their Horns
Humans have reversed their evolution.
Bighorn sheep in Alberta, Canada, are named literally for their extraordinarily large horns. However, like African elephants, these large horns often make them prime targets for poachers.
Natural evolution would favor sheep with larger horns as larger horns are better for fighting, self-defense, or attracting mates. However, humans have caused their evolution to reverse.
Smaller male sheep with smaller horns are less likely to be hunted, leading these sheep to produce more offspring and pass on their genes to the next generation.
4. Moths Changing Color
The peppered moth survives through camouflage.
In England, the peppered moth is a species that survives through camouflage, as its white and speckled wings can perfectly blend with lichen-covered birch trees. However, the Industrial Revolution caused pollution, blackening the trees with soot, making this poor moth an easy target for any hungry bird looking for a quick meal.
However, the moth species comes in both white and black, and while the white moths were dominant, the expansion of industry led to all the white moths being eaten. Meanwhile, the previously minority black moths became safe and gradually became the majority. This story has become a favorite discussion among Darwinian evolution enthusiasts, as it provides clear, demonstrable evidence of natural selection occurring in today’s world.
Additionally, after England made significant efforts to clean their air, trees, and environment in the 1900s, the white moths also began to thrive once again.
5. Atlantic Cod Mutating
Atlantic cod have evolved to live in polluted waters.
Due to pollution, a small bottom-dwelling species in the Atlantic has evolved not only to survive in polluted waters but to thrive in them. This is a fascinating example of rapid evolution today due to PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls).
Most fish embryos exposed to PCBs exhibit severe heart issues, but Atlantic cod happen to possess the right mutated genes that allow them to evolve in these harsh new conditions.
As these fish evolve to survive in toxic waters, their evolutionary physiology may not function well in cleaner waters.
