Invasiveness: The Cuban brown anole, originally native to Cuba, has been introduced in much of the south eastern United States, Southern California, Hawaii and Taiwan where they have become invasive. In Florida they are outcompeting the native Carolinian anole by feeding on the same food, and even preying on their young. The Carolinian anoles that manage to survive to adulthood are being forced out of their original habitat and into new areas. Since brown anoles have been introduced, Carolina anoles have been observed occupying higher branches in trees where the brown anoles cannot reach. This new environmental pressure has influenced the Carolinian anole’s anatomy as it favours individuals with larger toe pads which makes them better climbers and better able to survive and reproduce. One study found that in only 15 years, toe pad size had increased by 5% which is considerably quick in terms of evolution.
Sources:
Stuart, Yoel E., et al. "Rapid Evolution of a Native Species Following Invasion by a Congener." Science.org, 24 Oct. 2014, www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1257008. Accessed 19 Aug. 2022. |