In alleyways and parks from Berkeley to the Bronx, coyotes are becoming an increasingly common sight. But these savvy urban dwellers aren’t just surviving—they may actually be evolving to thrive in city environments.
A new study published in Genome Biology and Evolution reveals that urban coyotes are showing signs of rapid evolutionary change. Researchers say this offers a striking example of how city life can influence wildlife on much shorter timescales than previously thought.
The Changing Landscape of Evolution
While coyotes have long been admired for their ability to live alongside humans, this study adds a new layer to that story: adaptation at the genetic level. It’s not just that these animals are learning to cope with city life—they may be evolving to fit it.
Elizabeth Carlen, a postdoctoral fellow with the Living Earth Collaborative at Washington University in St. Louis and the study’s senior author, noted that coyotes are adapting remarkably well to urban spaces. Because they share a similar genetic makeup with domestic dogs, scientists can more easily identify which genes may help them succeed in human-dominated environments.
A New Frontier for Evolution
For decades, scientists believed evolution was a slow, gradual process unfolding over thousands—or even millions—of years. But today’s urban environments are challenging that assumption. Cities are dynamic, high-pressure ecosystems that present both threats and opportunities for wildlife…