Sunday, 8 March 2020

Urban Rats

There is an interesting study on the changes apparent in the genetics of the rats of New York compared to beasts from the presumed Chinese birthplace of the species (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/08/new-york-rats-evolve-to-mirror-human-habits). The results appear to show parallels between the changes in the rats and changes in humans, adapting to the challenges of life in a major city. The rats have modified their dietary preferences and their behaviours to cope with the stresses of an urban existence.

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Birder's Bonus 241

Noted a Curlew ( Numenius arquata ) on the Loughor estuary at Bynea.