Human Activity Has Created New Mosquito Species That Lives On London Underground

Humans are artificially driving the evolution of new species including a bizarre mosquito that lives on the London Underground, claims a new study.

Published in the Proceedings of The Royal Society B, the study from the University of Copenhagen highlights several examples of how humans have influenced the evolution of various species.

As the common house mosquito adapted to the underground environment of the capital city’s Tube network, it established a subterranean population, says the study.

The aptly named ‘London Underground mosquito’ is considered to be an entirely new breed and is unable to breed with its above-ground counterparts.

While the research shows that humans are not only capable of contributing to the extinction of certain species, but can also cause new species to evolve, the researchers stress that this should not make people complacent over nature conservation.

“The prospect of ‘artificially’ gaining novel species through human activities is unlikely to elicit the feeling that it can offset losses of ‘natural’ species,” said lead author Joseph Bull.

Image credit: Wikipedia