New Zealand's native stoneflies change color due to deforestation, mimicking toxic species for protection.

A study from the University of Otago reveals that New Zealand's native stoneflies have changed color due to human-induced deforestation. The non-toxic Zelandoperla stonefly evolved to mimic the warning colors of the toxic Austroperla to deter predators, but as deforestation eliminated the latter, Zelandoperla adapted its coloration accordingly. This research highlights how human actions can influence animal evolution and offers insights into future biodiversity shifts.

October 24, 2024
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