Rugged and spiny, the marine iguana feels almost prehistoric — reminiscent of Godzilla. Early explorers found them grotesque. Darwin famously called them “hideous” and threw a few into the sea (fieldwork ethics have, thankfully, evolved). But these animals are placid herbivores, perfectly adapted to forage algae off the volcanic coasts they call home. A major study revealed that what was once considered a single species is actually a network of at least eleven genetically distinct lineages — each tied to a different island. Yet instead of evolving into separate species, these populations have remained curiously connected. Marine iguanas occasionally move between islands and mate, creating hybrids. In many ecosystems, hybridization can erode biodiversity — but in this case, it may be doing the opposite. By mixing genes between populations, it may boost adaptability and help them survive extreme climate events like El Niño, which can wipe out up to 90% of individuals. In a changing ...