Studying evolution in Manhattan—arguably the most unnatural place on the planet—might seem an odd choice. But Munshi-South and Harris belong to a new breed of biologist, one fascinated by the nature right under our noses. From rodents in parks to ants on median strips to the cockroaches and bedbugs inside buildings—even the bacteria brewing inside our belly buttons—no location is too mundane for this scientific crew.

What’s the advantage of staying local? Besides being quite convenient—Munshi-South and Harris work at Baruch College in midtown Manhattan—cities like New York offer some unique opportunities for the evolutionary biologist.

“There isn’t really anywhere on the planet that isn’t impacted by human activity now,” says Munshi-South. “If we want to understand how species are actually evolving now, we need to understand the inputs from human activity.”

And nowhere is that input more evident than in the Big Apple. With a population of 8 million people packed into just 300 square miles of land, New York City is the largest and most densely populated city in the United States. All those restless urbanites have left a profound mark on the landscape, changing it in both dramatic and subtle ways. Just look at Manhattan, New York City’s most densely populated borough: Once an island of thick forest, Manhattan is now a sliver of concrete, interspersed with oases of green. The skyscrapers, the bridges, the subway system—not to mention the bars and coffee shops—have all transformed a once wild place beyond recognition. In the process, says Munshi-South, the city’s wildlife has been subject to “a grand evolutionary experiment.”