New research indicates that New Zealand’s indigenous stoneflies have undergone a change in coloration due to environmental alterations brought on by human activities. This study presents what is considered one of the clearest examples of animal evolution triggered by human impact.
New Zealand’s native stoneflies have changed colour in response to human-driven environmental changes, new research shows.
Recently published in the journal Science, researchers from the University of Otago highlight a significant instance of animal evolution in reaction to human-induced changes.
Professor Jon Waters, a co-author from the Department of Zoology, explains that the stoneflies have developed a different coloration due to recent deforestation.
“In areas with natural forests, a native species has evolved ‘warning’ colors that resemble those of a toxic forest species, misleading predators into believing they are harmful as well,” he notes.
“However, since human arrival has led to the clearing of forests, the poisonous species has disappeared. Consequently, in areas where forests have been cut down, the mimicking species has shifted away from this tactic — as there is nothing left to emulate — and has evolved into a new color.”
Researchers have long speculated if human activities are influencing evolutionary changes in wild populations.
The most famous instance of human-induced evolution is the peppered moth population in the UK, which altered its coloration in response to industrial pollution during the 1800s.
Despite this, Professor Waters notes that even that example has faced some debate.
This recent study illustrates how human actions have altered interactions among native species.
Dr. Graham McCulloch, another co-author, points out that humans have disrupted ecological relationships between species that have been forming over millions of years, yet some native species demonstrate enough resilience to adapt.
“This study is significant because it indicates that, at least for some native species, adapting to environmental changes prompted by humans is possible, even when these changes occur rapidly,” states Dr. McCulloch.
“Furthermore, it indicates that separate populations have experienced similar adaptations due to deforestation, suggesting evolution can be a predictable process.”
