Urban mice undergo evolutionary changes.

New York City is over three hundred years old, and around 20 percent of the city is a wooded area, which allows for the study of urban wildlife.

Researchers from Baruch College investigating the evolution of urban mice have found significant genetic differences between mice living in the forests outside of New York City, and the mice that live in people’s homes, and in the streets.

The environmental differences have created adaptations in the mice that reflect their changing urban environment.

For example, the urban mice have genes that help them recognize pathogens, and detoxify themselves from pollutants, which are both potentially hazardous aspects of living in the city.

Wildlife discoveries are possible in urban landscapes.

A new species of leopard frog was discovered in New York City.

University of California – Los Angeles biologist Brad Shaffer said: “For a new species to go unrecognized in this area is amazing. This shows that even in the largest city in the U.S., there are still new and important species waiting to be discovered.”