How species evolve in conjunction with their environment is an amazing and often perplexing phenomenon. Over the time many examples have appeared indicating how species change as the conditions in their habitats alter. In this article, we will examine two important cases: evolutionary adaptation of a lizard species in Florida and the influence of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on human skin tone.
These are Green Anole and Brown Anole: Survival Story from Florida
Fifteen years ago, green anoles or the “green-ended” was everywhere in Florida. This small reptile resembling a chameleon was brightly colored green so that one could not miss it anywhere. But such a situation changed due to invasion by brown anoles, another larger lizard species which are believed to have been imported from Mexico via ships.
Brown anoles overcame green ones being stronger and more competitive; they became predators to green ones forcing them out of their regular habitats. Thus, they switched to higher territories – like tops of trees, etc., because unlike brown anoles they had physical adaptations like better developed toe pads with which they clung to lesser branches as well as climbed quicker.
Eventually this led to evolutional alteration among the Green Anole population. The lizards that lived in trees started having bigger toe pads that promoted stronger clutching onto branches. It is one outstanding example of how environmental pressure can produce significant evolutionary changes within a species.
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Ultraviolet Radiation and Human Skin Color: A Global Perspective
Another interesting case that concerns adaptation is the relationship between ultraviolet (UV) radiation and human skin color. Like other creatures, humans also diversified depending on their habitat throughout time. One visible adaptation is seen through differences in skin color among populations residing in different places around the world.
Africa, where humanity originated due intense UV radiation, has dark-skinned populations rich in melanin pigment produced by melanocytes for sun protection against UV radiation which causes skin cancers, eye problems and DNA damage.
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However, melanin production decreases as humans migrate to regions with lower levels of UV radiation such as Europe and some parts of Asia. Lighter skin evolved in these areas because it allowed better penetration of ultraviolet rays essential for vitamin D synthesis in the body. Vitamin D is required for a variety of physiological processes including calcium absorption and maintenance of healthy bones. Thus, lighter skin color became more beneficial in terms that it would enable sufficient vitamin D production even with minimal exposure to UV radiation at latitudes far from equator.
This adaptation is therefore responsible for variation in coloration across different human populations subject to varying levels of UV radiation. It should be noted that high levels of melanin protect against harmful effects caused by damaged skin whereas lighter pigmentation facilitates vitamin D synthesis in low UV environments.
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These examples are supportive to understand that humans and other creatures on earth have an ability to adapt themselves with their environment and the evolution process is also depending upon these factors.
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