How an urban population became a 1,200-year evolutionary laboratory
In short: Discover how the Fire salamander has survived within the city of Oviedo since 761 AD. This documentary explores how a prehistoric survivor adapted to urban life, navigating modern streets and cathedral courtyards.
The video examines the genetic divergence of the Fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra bernardezi) following its isolation behind the 8th-century walls of Oviedo. Through molecular research, the film reveals how populations separated by only 100 meters have evolved into distinct genetic groups.
A key driver of this adaptation is viviparity, a biological mechanism that allows the species to give birth to fully-formed live young. By bypassing the need for ponds or streams, these amphibians have successfully inhabited urban spaces like the San Pelayo Monastery and the Gothic Cathedral, surviving centuries of war and urban expansion.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Fire Salamander: 1,200 Years of Genetic Isolation | SLICE EARTH | FULL DOC
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