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A new study highlights how human activities, like deforestation, have triggered rapid evolutionary changes in species.
The study focuses on a species of stonefly in New Zealand that has evolved to mimic the warning colours of a toxic species.
This colour change, which helped protect the stonefly from predators, has now reversed due to the loss of predators and the toxic species
The research also demonstrates that the change is genetic and not just a flexible response to the environment, marking a significant example of human-driven evolution in the wild.
Stoneflies
Plecoptera is an order of insects, commonly known as stoneflies.
Stonefly, any of about 2,000 species of insects, the adults of which have long antennae, weak, chewing mouthparts, and two pairs of membranous wings.
The stonefly nymph resembles the adult but lacks wings and may have external gills on various parts of its body.
Stoneflies are found worldwide, except Antarctica
All species of Plecoptera are intolerant of water pollution, and the presence of their nymphs in a stream or still water is usually an indicator of good or excellent water quality
Austroperla stonefly: A toxic species found in New Zealand forests that uses cyanide for self-defence
It has high-contrast black, white, and yellow markings (similar to wasps) to warn predators of its toxicity
Zelandoperla stonefly: A non-toxic species that has evolved to mimic the warning colouration of the toxic Austroperla to deceive predators into avoiding it.
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