Jonathan Losos

Jonathan Losos

@jblosos.bsky.social

Evolutionary biologist, herpetologist, cat lover.

971 followers593 following103 posts

Jonathan Losos
@jblosos.bsky.social

3-legged lizards can thrive against all odds, challenging assumptions about how evolution works in the wild theconversation.com/3-legged-liz...

theconversation.com3-legged lizards can thrive against all odds, challenging assumptions about how evolution works in the wildMost lizards probably don’t survive devastating injuries. But a new study documents 122 cases of limb loss across 58 species – these exceptions shine a new light on natural selection.

Jonathan Losos reposted

Leah
@leah.myatproto.social

Here's a story about how breeding has smushed so many pet skulls that Persians and pugs resemble eachother more than their wild ancestors. Research from @jblosos.bsky.social 🧪 🐕 🐈 💀 source.washu.edu/2025/04/copy...

source.washu.eduCopycat evolutionBiologist Jonathan Losos, in Arts & Sciences, has documented evidence of a kind of "copycat" evolution between extremely short-faced breeds of cats and dogs. Generations of intentional breeding have l...
Jonathan Losos
@jblosos.bsky.social

USFWS and NOAA have a proposed rescinding the definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act. Presently, “harm” includes habitat modifications, such as those due to land-use change, invasive species, pollution. The new rule would be much more limited www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...

federalregister.govRescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species ActThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (collectively referred to as the Services or we) are proposing to rescind the regulatory definition of "harm" ...
Jonathan Losos
@jblosos.bsky.social

The new rule would limit the Act to protecting species from intentional take, i.e., killing. This would be catastrophic for endangered species. While intentional take certainly threatens wild populations, habitat modification is the primary driver of biodiversity loss. Act today--deadline is Monday!

Jonathan Losos reposted

Leah
@leah.myatproto.social

Replying to @leah.myatproto.social

“The skulls of a Pug or a Pekingese and a Persian cat are more similar to each other than either is to their ancestors, the wolf and the North African wildcat,” said @jblosos.bsky.social .... “I don’t think anyone would have expected that.” source.washu.edu/2025/04/copy...

source.washu.eduCopycat evolutionBiologist Jonathan Losos, in Arts & Sciences, has documented evidence of a kind of "copycat" evolution between extremely short-faced breeds of cats and dogs. Generations of intentional breeding have l...