Rapid Evolution of Italian Wall Lizards

"Italian wall lizards introduced to a tiny island off the coast of Croatia are evolving in ways that would normally take millions of years to play out, new research shows."  

For the source of that quote and for the rest of the story, see the article at this link:

http://news.nationalgeographic.co.uk/news/2008/04/080421-lizard-evolution.html

Male and female Italian Wall Lizards, Podarcis siculus. They are a
fairly common sight around certain areas of Long Island since their
unintended introduction to the Garden City area in 1966. Photo source.

Makes me wonder if the Italian Wall Lizards on Long Island have evolved since their establishment here. For more info on Long Island's Italian Wall Lizards, see the linked article by Russell Burke.

Personally, my hypotheses has been that at least some evolutionary change, maybe even most of it, occurs much more rapidly than over millions of years. It has been witnessed happening at a much faster rate over and over again, after major habitat changes, yet many scientists still seems to think the process is a long drawn out one. Lasting catastrophic habitat changes can and often do take place rapidly. It seems reasonable that the only creatures that would be able to survive, in some way, shape or form, would be those that adapt to it rapidly. Introduction of a species to a habitat for which it is not already adapted would force such changes or would likely result in the demise of the species in that new location.

Thanks to Deb H for the article.

All the best,
Glenn B