In 2005, scientists left one male and one female lizard on each of seven empty Bahamian islands; four years later, all colonies had evolved shorter hindlimbs while retaining differences linked to their founding pairs

In the wake of a powerful hurricane, researchers were granted an exceptional opportunity to explore the dynamics of lizard populations. By establishing new colonies from randomly chosen pairs, they found that initial leg length differences arose from these chance pairings. However, natural selection later promoted shorter limbs, adapting to the island’s unique vegetation, illustrating the dual influences of randomness and selection in shaping these lizard populations over time.