A new study has found that a lizard that once lived in forests has gone through

genetic changes to survive in city environments.

Researchers studied a lizard called the crested anole. The lizard’s official name
is Anolis cristatellus. It is commonly found in the American territory of Puerto
Rico.

The team said it discovered the lizard had grown special scales that helped it
climb more easily on smooth surfaces like walls and windows. It also grew longer
legs in order to run faster across open areas.

Kristin Winchell is a biology professor at New York University and the main writer
of the study. She told The Associated Press, “We are watching evolution as it’s
unfolding.”

Research results were recently published in Proceedings of the National Academy of

Sciences.