As we all know, nature is the storehouse of surprises, and many events are happening around us which are surprisingly unbelievable. Till now, modern science believed that evolution is a process which happens in a long course of time. But recently, scientists discovered a new species of finches in Galapagos island which evolved into a completely new species within a very short period of time.
Here is a list of animals that are rapidly evolving in a very short time span.
Big Bird in Galapagos island
It was in 1981 that ornithologists in Galapagos island noticed the arrival of a large cactus finch, reportedly from a different geography. This male finch soon mated with a female bird within the island, resulting in the birth of 30 offsprings. A new study conducted by Peter Grant, from the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Princeton University, discovered that within the next two generations, the population of this new finches was reproductively isolated from the native birds.
The researchers have named this new species of finches 'Big Bird', as they are much bigger than other species of Daphne Major. The new species usually produces a weird sound to attract mates, but it failed to attract the local female species. As a result, Big Birds exclusively mated with their own lineage over the years, resulting in the evolving of a completely new species without any genetical traces of local finches.
The Super Mice
If you are the one who fears mice, then it is better to skip this portion of the article. Recently, scientists have discovered a new species of mice which are immune to Warfarin, a common poison used to kill these creatures. The super mice were discovered in Germany when lowly house mouse mated with a poison-resistant Algerian mouse.
Great Tits
Widespread use of birdfeeders has resulted in the evolution of British Great Tits. Studies conducted by researchers at the Universities of East Anglia, Exeter, Oxford, Sheffield found that the beaks of British Great Tits have grown much longer when compared to their European counterparts. It is believed that the amount of time these birds spent on birdfeeders has resulted in this evolution. As per the studies, the beaks of Great Tits started its unusual growth from the 1970s and is still continuing today.
Mosquitoes
The construction of London underground has resulted in the evolution of a new breed of mosquitoes in the country. During the construction of London underground in 1863, the mosquitoes which lived underground faced a reproductive isolation and evolved themselves as a subspecies. Most of the mosquitoes which live above the ground in London usually hibernate in Winter, but these underground creatures are cold tolerant and breed all-year round. The above ground mosquitoes only feed on birds, but these underground mosquitoes suck blood from rats and humans.
Bumblebees
Two species of bumblebees faced shortening of their tongue length by 25 percent in the past 40 years. Experts believe that climatic changes are the main reason behind this evolution. These bumblebees live in the rocky mountains of the United States, and as per experts, the change in floral density due to the regular rise in temperature is the main reason behind this phenomenon.
