The Genetics of Dogs Around Chernobyl Are Evolving. It May Not Be Due to Radiation

The Chernobyl exclusion zone serves as an unintentional experiment in natural science. The area, covering more than 1,000 square miles, is restricted to humans, yet wildlife flourishes within it in a unique manner.

Evolution of dogs. The dogs that inhabit the Chernobyl area are a prime example of this phenomenon. As it turns out, the dogs living near the infamous nuclear power plant are evolving at a different pace compared to those in surrounding areas.

Chernobyl dogs. Following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster on April 26, 1986, many things changed in the vicinity of the plant. Residents of cities like Pripyat and Chernobyl were forced to abandon their homes due to the dangers posed by radiation.

While people fled, many animals were left behind. Among these species, a significant population of dogs has survived in the area ever since.

302 dogs. Little is known about Chernobyl’s unique canine population, but a study published in Science Advances in March 2023 revealed a particularly interesting detail. The dogs inhabiting the Chernobyl exclusion zone have developed genetic changes that differentiate them from dog populations in nearby cities.

The research team entered the area to collect blood samples from this distinct canine colony. Scientists gathered samples from 302 dogs belonging to three subgroups that reside around the plant and from dogs living 10 to 30 miles away from the zone.

The study compared the genetics of these populations and found that the dogs living near the nuclear power plant exhibit unique genetic traits that set them apart from other local dogs.

Radiation? It’s tempting to associate the evolution of the Chernobyl dogs with the radiation still present in the area’s soil, water, and surroundings. However, the research team (and other experts) prefer to avoid drawing these direct connections.

The issue lies in the fact that mutations are the result of complex phenomena. Numerous variables make it difficult to determine whether radiation is the primary cause of these changes. “[These studies] are so hard... There’s lots of other stuff going on in the natural environment,” Jim Smith, a researcher at the University of Portsmouth and co-author of the study, told Science News.

Black frogs. The wildlife of Chernobyl is a recurring subject of scientific studies that help understand how radiation impacts living organisms under certain conditions.

One unique case involves frogs in the area. The species Hyla orientalis, typically a bright green frog, exhibits a darker coloration in the Chernobyl region. This change illustrates the complexity of evolution. Researchers hypothesized that the frogs’ darker skin color could be an indirect consequence of radiation because it may help them survive in an environment with higher radiation levels.

Image | Demure Storyteller

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