The nuclear disaster Chernobyl in 1986 left an indelible mark on the human population that was evacuated, as well as on the ecosystem that surrounds the nuclear power plant. However, despite the immediate devastation to biodiversity, some animals, such as Feral dogs have managed to survive and even thrive in the exclusion zone. This phenomenon has attracted the attention of scientists around the world, who have begun to study the genetic adaptations of these animals in an extremely hostile environment.
Recently, a team of researchers from the University of South Carolina and the National Human Genome Research Institute published a study in the journal Science Advances, in which analyzes the DNA of 302 dogs that inhabit the Chernobyl exclusion zone. The goal of this study was to understand how radiation and extreme environmental conditions have influenced the evolution of these canine populations.
The dogs were collected in various locations near the plant, within the exclusion zone (a 30 km area around the reactor) and in the city of Chernobylwhich is located about 15 km from the nuclear power plant. Other dogs were found in more remote areas, such as Slavutych45 km from the site.
The dogs that inhabit the Chernobyl zone They survive in extreme conditions of radiation, cold temperatures and a scarcity of food resources. The exclusion zonethe radiation-affected area surrounding the nuclear plant, remains uninhabitable for humans, but it has been occupied by these dogs, descendants of pets that were abandoned during the evacuation after the 1986 disaster.
The researchers compared the DNA of these dogs with that of more than 200 dogs from Ukraine and nearby countries, and, they found that dogs that live closest to the nuclear plant have significant genetic differences compared to other dogs from more distant regions. This shows that the dogs in the area are not only genetically different, but also Its characteristics may have been altered by the extreme radiation conditions. According to the article of Science Advancesthis finding “suggests that the dogs residing in the central Chernobyl and in the city of the same name they are not only genetically different, but also present a more pronounced internal genetic similarity.”
One of the most relevant conclusions of the study is that Chernobyl feral dogs present genetic mutations that could have accelerated their evolutionary process, allowing them to better adapt to a highly radioactive environment. According to the researchers, these mutations could be a response to prolonged exposure to radiation.
This has a parallel in other species that have also shown genetic changes in environments with high radiation, such as tree frogs in the same area, which developed a darker color as a defense mechanism against the effects of radiation. In fact, scientists highlight that radiation-induced mutations are well known in various species, and this study suggests that Chernobyl dogs could have developed similar alterations, which could have accelerated their evolution.
An important finding is that, although these dogs are not pure breeds, the researchers identified that the majority of the dogs closest to the nuclear plant and the city of Chernobyl They have a genetic similarity with german shepherdssuggesting that their ancestors were domestic dogs of that breed. Furthermore, the study identified up to 15 family groups within the dog population in the area, indicating that these animals have migrated between the plant and the city, maintaining a relatively stable social and genetic structure.
Interestingly, scientists have also proposed that the knowledge acquired from dogs Chernobyl They could be useful in research on the effects of radiation in space. Astronauts, who are exposed to higher levels of radiation in space, could benefit from studies on how certain organisms survive and adapt to this type of exposure.
