Evolution of Life in the City - Next in Science Series

Explore the fascinating world of urban evolution in this Radcliffe Institute talk by James S. Santangelo, a graduate student in evolutionary ecology at the University of Toronto Mississauga. Discover how cities, often viewed as "anti-life," serve as living laboratories driving evolutionary changes in species. Learn about the global phenomenon of urbanization and its impact on genetic adaptations. Delve into a case study on white clover (Trifolium repens) and the genetics of cyanogenesis, examining unexpected patterns of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) distribution in urban environments. Investigate the factors influencing HCN clines, including frost and snow, and explore theoretical models of evolution in urban settings. Gain insights into the role of genetic drift and gene flow in shaping urban evolutionary patterns. Conclude with a broader perspective on urban evolution as a global phenomenon, challenging traditional views on cities and their impact on biodiversity.

Intro
Cities viewed as "anti-life"
Urbanization- A global phenomenon
Cities as "living laboratories"
Cities drive evolution in 4 ways
White clover (Trifolium repens)
Genetics of cyanogenesis
Prediction: more HCN in urban environments
Less HCN in urban environments
Question 1: How common are HCN clines?
Questions: Phenotypic clines in cyanogenesis
Question 2: Does frost/snow predict HCN clines?
What's driving HCN clines?
Theoretical models of evolution in urban environments
Strong drift drive clines in HCN, but not with gene flow
Questions: Phenotypic clines in HCN
What's driving these clines
Urban evolution - A global phenomenon
Acknowledgments