Climate Change Spurs Evolution: New Hybrid Puffin Subspecies Emerges

Climate change-driven warming in the Arctic has led to the emergence of a new hybrid subspecies of Atlantic puffins on the Norwegian island of Bjornoya, according to a study published in Science Advances. The hybridization occurred between two subspecies within the past century, coinciding with the onset of faster global warming. Surprisingly, the hybridization occurred after a subspecies migrated southward, not poleward toward cooler temperatures. The study also highlights a significant loss of genetic diversity in the puffin populations, raising concerns about the health of Arctic puffins. The findings underscore the impact of recent years on Arctic communities and the importance of analyzing both modern and historical DNA data.