Rapid Speciation of the London Underground Mosquito (Culex pipiens molestus)

Abstract

In evolutionary biology, speciation is often perceived as a gradual evolutionary process spanning thousands of generations. However, the emergence of the London Underground mosquito (Culex pipiens molestus) from the common house mosquito (Culex pipiens) illustrates a recent, observable speciation event. Via allopatric speciation, the mosquito population in London’s underground railway system evolved distinct behavioural and physiological characteristics, becoming isolated and successful in its unique underground environment. The two mosquito species are significantly genetically distinct, and various reproductive barriers exist between them. The London Underground mosquito demonstrates a rapid speciation event that occurred over only a couple generations and is a strong model of evolution.