Smuggling operation in Cincinnati uncovers ordinarily small number of lizards; explosive population growth leads to tens of thousands.
In the heart of Ohio, a remarkable ecological experiment is unfolding. The Lazarus lizards, once smuggled into the city in the 1950s, have not only survived but thrived, transforming urban landscapes and capturing the attention of researchers worldwide.
Originating from Lake Garda in Italy, the lizards were introduced to Cincinnati by George Rau Jr., whose stepfather founded Macy's. The lizards were released into Rau's backyard in 1951, an event that would set in motion a series of events leading to the city's current lizard population, now numbering tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands.
The lizards have found a perfect substitute for their native habitat in Cincinnati's hilly terrain and the numerous stacked-rock retaining walls with no mortar or cement. This urban environment, remarkably similar to their native Milan in terms of climate, has allowed the lizards to adapt well. With year-round temperatures varying by only a few degrees Celsius and precipitation levels staying within the same 10-centimeter range each month, the lizards have been able to navigate their urban environment with ease.
Jeffrey Davis, a herpetologist, has been monitoring the Lazarus lizards since the early 2000s. His observations, along with those of researchers from the Lizard League, a team of student researchers, have revealed some fascinating adaptations. For instance, the lizards have developed the ability to use the numerous nooks and crannies in the stacked-rock retaining walls for shelter and have access to the underground during winter.
The research on the Lazarus lizards could potentially lead to a better understanding of unique features of animal brains that are less similar to the human brain. Moreover, the findings could have broader implications for human health, particularly in developing drugs for heavy metal resistance. Interestingly, the lizards do not seem to be affected by prolonged exposure to heavy metals in the city. Emma Foster, a neuroscience junior at Ohio Wesleyan University, is part of the Lizard League and has conducted research on the lizards' response to lead toxicity.
As the lizards have adapted to their urban environment, they have also evolved. The Lazarus lizards are getting larger and developing longer limbs, possibly to help them run from house cats, their primary urban predators. The density of the lizard populations in some neighborhoods can reach as high as 1,500 lizards per acre, significantly higher than their typical density in Europe.
The US National Science Foundation has recognised the importance of this research, funding a four-year grant to study why the Lazarus lizards have flourished in urban environments on a new continent after an introduction of so few animals. Eric Gangloff, a biology professor at Ohio Wesleyan University, has spent five years studying the Lazarus lizards in Cincinnati and previously researched them in their native European range. The entire population in Ohio is believed to have spawned from just three individuals of the original 10.
The story of the Lazarus lizards serves as a testament to nature's resilience and adaptability. As researchers continue to study these fascinating creatures, we can only anticipate the discoveries that lie ahead. The Lazarus lizards, once smuggled into Cincinnati, have not only survived but thrived, becoming a permanent fixture in the city's landscape and a source of intrigue for researchers and residents alike.
