The (sort of) evolution of the London Underground mosquito

A few decades ago, a strange discovery was made in the London Underground. A type of mosquito, apparently unique, was discovered living in the tunnels and stations.

This mosquito, though related to the native above-ground type, was distinct in terms of both behaviour and genetics, and the two could not interbreed.

Was this an example of modern-day evolution? This is the subject of today's video.

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References

[1] “What Is The London Underground Mosquito?” (https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-the-london-underground-mosquito.html)

[2] “Culex pipiens in London Underground tunnels: differentiation between surface and subterranean populations”, Byrne and Nichols, 2001

[3] “Morphometric, physiological and molecular characteristics of underground populations of the urban mosquito Culex pipiens Linnaeus f. molestus Forskål (Diptera: Culicidae) from several areas of Russia”, Vinagradova and Shaikevich, 2007

[4] “Emerging Vectors in the Culex pipiens Complex”, Fonseca et al., 2004

[5] “First Evidence for Presence of Culex pipiens Biotype Molestus in the Netherlands, and of Hybrid Biotype Pipiens and Molestus in Northern Europe”, Reusken et al., 2010

[6] “How often do they meet? Genetic similarity between European populations of a potential disease vector Culex pipiens”, Lohmus et al., 2012

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