tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008122866340502585.post7777489885252810708..comments2024-03-24T05:50:07.033-07:00Comments on Biologizing: Monk Parakeets of New York CityPeter Houlihanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961900865379520219noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008122866340502585.post-78742039519336041102019-09-20T18:44:27.185-07:002019-09-20T18:44:27.185-07:00This was a very interesting post. It is interestin...This was a very interesting post. It is interesting that a species natively from the mountains in South America could adapt to thrive so easily in an urban setting such as New York City. It is also interesting that the Parakeets can thrive in Florida as well, and New York City and Florida are very different environments. Florida has lots of vegetation that can be food for parakeets, but New York does not have much vegetation. New York is also much cooler temperature than Florida. Hopefully the population of the Monk Parakeets does not get out of control and become a problem forcing a different course of action.<br />Posted by “John Mariano”<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008122866340502585.post-25503507130079469402019-09-20T12:54:29.162-07:002019-09-20T12:54:29.162-07:00It will be interesting to see how this species con...It will be interesting to see how this species continues to adapt to the selective pressures that New York poses. If this species continues to reproduce and survive over a number of generations then we could slowly, but surely, begin to see a form of reproductive isolation take hold in this specific population. If this were to occur then we could see this subsect of parakeets becoming their own species, thus exhibiting how genetic drift and isolation can cause one species to diverge into two. Hopefully this species does not become a high threat to the native species, as it will be interesting to see how this population changes over time.<br /> Posted by James Levangie<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008122866340502585.post-58725664415498980602019-09-19T16:15:07.506-07:002019-09-19T16:15:07.506-07:00I thoroughly enjoyed reading this piece about Monk...I thoroughly enjoyed reading this piece about Monk parakeets in New York City because this post could be providing us with a real world example of convergent evolution. Convergent evolution occurs when two distantly related species evolve similar traits over time by experiencing similar environmental pressures. As mentioned in this article, the Monk parakeet’s natural habitat is in the mountains in South America, and they have adapted to living in a cooler climate. Thus, this species is able to thrive and compete with native New York bird species that have experienced similar climate pressures. The ability of both of these species to be able to survive in identical environments makes me wonder if they possess similar traits. If they do, could they have arisen due to convergent evolution? <br /><br />Posted by "Nicholas Georgette"<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com