Aggressive “hulk” lizards are wiping out millions of years of evolution

A dominant green 'Hulk' lizard morph is rapidly displacing yellow and orange variants, collapsing a stable three-color system that had persisted for millennia. | Contesto: cronaca

Punti chiave

• Aggressive “hulk” lizards are wiping out millions of years of evolution

Contesto

A powerful new variant of the common wall lizard, described by researchers as an aggressive “Hulk” morph, is rapidly displacing two other color types that have coexisted for ages, collapsing a stable evolutionary system that had persisted for millennia. The takeover, documented in multiple populations, is causing the yellow and orange morphs to vanish from areas where all three once thrived side by side, each with its own distinct survival strategy. For an extended period—scientists say for ages—wall lizards maintained three distinct color morphs, a classic example of balanced polymorphism. The yellow, orange, and green variants each occupied a specific ecological niche, with differences in behavior, diet, and reproductive tactics that prevented any one type from overwhelming the others. This delicate equilibrium allowed the species to exploit a wider range of resources and buffer against environmental changes. Now, the green morph—nicknamed the “Hulk” for its size, strength, and aggressive temperament—has broken the balance. Field observations show that these dominant lizards are outcompeting their yellow and orange counterparts for territory, food, and mates. In some study sites, the yellow and orange morphs have disappeared entirely, leaving only the green variant in control. The shift represents a dramatic and rapid reversal of what had been a long-standing evolutionary arrangement. The significance of this change extends beyond a single species. The collapse of the three-morph system illustrates that evolution is not always a slow, gradual process; it can “flip the script much faster than expected,” as one researcher noted. When a single variant gains a decisive advantage—whether through a genetic mutation, a shift in environmental conditions, or a combination of factors—it can erase millions of years of accumulated evolutionary diversity in a relatively short time. The findings raise questions about the resilience of other species that rely on multiple morphs or strategies to survive. If a single aggressive variant can upend a system that has been stable for ages, similar dynamics may be at play in other organisms, particularly those facing new pressures...

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Categoria: cronaca