Birds on the Brain

nybg:

A bit of evolutionary history is being made in Scotland, where a new species of fertile, hybrid flower has been described. Mimulus peregrines, aka “the wanderer,” is a hybrid of two species commonly known as monkey flowers that have combined. And because of a clever genetic trick, these new flowers are fertile in the second generation (this is uncommon; especially in mammals where mules, ligers, and other hybrid offspring are not capable of reproduction). The monkey flowers were brought to the United Kingdom from the United States and South America by the Victorians, and soon escaped the confines of gardens to flourish in the wild, and apparently to make new species. ~AR

(via Monkey flower reveals evolution in action - Technology & science - Science - OurAmazingPlanet - NBCNews.com)