A fascinating piece on the BBC website (link) reminded me of the weird and wonderful ecosystem that exists in the 180km of tunnels, including it's own species of mosquito.
In fact Culex pipiens molestus isn't limited to the London subway system, it occurs in other large underground systems, such as New York and Tokyo. Though it's believed to have evolved in London.
It's an evolutionary adaption of the Culex pipiens, a surface dwelling insect that, unlike molestus, only feeds on birds. C. f. m. bites humans and doesn't hibernate in winter. It's also adapted to the warm close confines of the tunnels.
The Underground is also hope to a notably aggressive species of mice and a population of foxes and tortoises though reports of feral Cybermats have yet to be confirmed...
Links.
Wiki
Nature
CBS article on their spread to New York
In fact Culex pipiens molestus isn't limited to the London subway system, it occurs in other large underground systems, such as New York and Tokyo. Though it's believed to have evolved in London.
It's an evolutionary adaption of the Culex pipiens, a surface dwelling insect that, unlike molestus, only feeds on birds. C. f. m. bites humans and doesn't hibernate in winter. It's also adapted to the warm close confines of the tunnels.
The Underground is also hope to a notably aggressive species of mice and a population of foxes and tortoises though reports of feral Cybermats have yet to be confirmed...
Links.
Wiki
Nature
CBS article on their spread to New York
via International Skeptics Forum http://ift.tt/1T7txod
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