Ecology and Evolution of Urban Squirrels in St. Louis

Urbanization is increasing around the globe, and this is having a plethora of outcomes for wildlife in these areas. Previous research has shown that urbanization is influencing the evolution of wildlife and can facilitate or inhibit the movement of wildlife, depending on the city and organism. However, this type of research is in its infancy and scientists have recently pointed to the need to move beyond studying simple landscape features and incorporate human social and cultural factors (e.g. transportation use, human diet, historical land use) into their models.

This research seeks to understand how human social and cultural factors contribute to the evolution of Eastern Gray Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) in St. Louis. Understanding how population structure and phenotypes change in response to the urban environment provides empirical evidence for rapid evolution and urban eco-evolutionary dynamics, two fields which are in the relatively early stages of development. By understanding the extent of these changes and where in the genome they occur, we are building a better understanding of how urbanization shapes the evolution of wildlife.

Research Team

Elizabeth Carlen, Washington University in St. Louis

Jonathan Losos, Washington University in St. Louis

Jonathan Chang, University of California Los Angeles

Lindsay Miles, Virginia Tech