The Plasticity of Organisms: Some Examples of the Adaptations of Small Vertebrates to Various Environments All Around the World

At a time when the decline of biodiversity is serious, many organisms currently live in different biotopes, even the most unexpected. For this, organisms have adapted to all environments, often developing very specialized anatomical and physiological characteristics. Looking at nature when traveling around the world, it is obvious that the adaptations to the environment are specific. In this short review, we propose a trip around the world to meet small vertebrates having acquired anatomical, physiological or reproductive specializations, in order to live at best in environments that are a priori incompatible with life. Some species encountered during this excursion have been studied for a long time by our group, others, with very specialized adaptations; have been studied by other teams. The wealth of these adaptations is currently threatened by climate change. Thus, specializations can sometimes become a handicap for the life of the species. New adaptations will certainly develop in the future, but will species have time to adapt to quickly evolving biotopes?