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9 August 2026

Evolutionary Adaptation in Lizards

This study provides a scientific example of rapid evolutionary adaptation in response to extreme weather events, which can be used as illustrative context for questions on climate change impacts on biodiversity.

1 min read 1 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • Study conducted on Anolis scriptus (Turks and Caicos anole) populations on Pine Cay and Water Cay.
  • Hurricanes Irma (265 km/hr) and Maria (200 km/hr) struck in September 2017, 14 days apart.
  • Post-storm survivors exhibited morphological changes: longer forelimbs, shorter hind legs, shorter hind toes, and larger toepads.
  • Evolutionary adaptation occurred rapidly, described as 'evolution on steroids'.
  • Genetic analysis identified five genes involved in muscle and skeletal development that increased in frequency.
  • The gene hs6st1 was linked to the shortening of the fourth hind toe.
  • CRISPR-based experiments on Anolis sagrei confirmed that knocking out hs6st1 results in shorter fourth toes.
  • Wind tunnel testing showed lizards rely significantly more on front-leg grip than hind-leg grip during high-wind events.

Questions

  1. Discuss the concept of rapid evolutionary adaptation in response to extreme environmental events, citing the recent observations in Anolis lizard populations. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
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Prelims

  1. Which gene was identified as being responsible for the shortening of the fourth toe in the studied anole populations?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-08-09/evolutionary-adaptation-in-lizards