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Study Reveals Agile Lizards Thrive After Limb Loss

10/29/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A study led by Jonathan Losos shows lizards in the Bahamas can adapt well after losing limbs.
Over 20 years, Losos observed 58 lizard species, noting peg-legged individuals were agile and faster than four-legged counterparts.
Slow-motion video analysis showed these lizards adjusted their locomotion to compensate for limb loss.
The findings suggest natural selection enables survival despite limb loss, and the study was published in the American Naturalist.

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Story summary

A study led by Jonathan Losos shows lizards in the Bahamas can adapt well after losing limbs.
Over 20 years, Losos observed 58 lizard species, noting peg-legged individuals were agile and faster than four-legged counterparts.
Slow-motion video analysis showed these lizards adjusted their locomotion to compensate for limb loss.
The findings suggest natural selection enables survival despite limb loss, and the study was published in the American Naturalist.