Wall Lizards in Ohio Reproduced Their Way Out of a Genetic Bottleneck

Wall lizards in Ohio reproduced their way out of a genetic bottleneck

Non-native wall lizards living in Cincinnati, Ohio, have thrived against the odds thanks to an ability to expand their population more quickly than any inbreeding-amplified harmful genes could weaken their chances for survival, new research suggests. An estimated 10 of these European common wall lizards arrived in southwest Ohio in the 1950s, brought home by a boy who smuggled them in his luggage after a vacation in northern Italy. Now, hundreds…

How do wall lizards escape a bottleneck?

Wall lizards in Cincinnati, Ohio have been able to reproduce in a way that helps them rebound after a genetic bottleneck linked to their introduction. The story’s core message is that these non native lizards didn’t just survive—they expanded their population by reproducing faster than expected…

Ohio Wall Lizards Overcame Genetic Bottleneck Through Reproduction, Study

In the heart of Cincinnati, Ohio, an unexpected ecological marvel is unfolding as European common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis), a non-native species, have managed to establish and flourish against formidable genetic odds. Originating from a small group inadvertently introduced in the 1950s by a young boy returning from northern Italy, these elusive reptiles have now […]