A recent study published in the journal ScienceNews sheds new light on how DNA changes can be passed on to the offspring of animals living in areas exposed to radiation after a nuclear disaster.
The explosion of a nuclear reactor at Chernobyl in 1986 had serious consequences for the environment. ChEZ is a zone with a high level of radiation where people cannot live, with the exception of a population of stray dogs.
Herding dogs, including German Shepherds and other breeds common in Europe, share a common ancestor that was most likely a free-breeding dog native to Eastern Europe, Science News reports.
Using blood samples from 302 stray dogs, the researchers compared the animals’ DNA with that of the Chernobyl dogs.
According to the study, signs of rapid evolution were found in the DNA of Chernobyl dogs. However, scientists do not know if these changes were caused by radiation or inbreeding.
The study raises questions about whether animals can evolve rapidly in response to environmental pressures and the long-term effects of exposure to radiation.
The result showed that rapid evolution may be one of the ways animals cope with environmental challenges, such as exposure to radiation.
Further research on Chernobyl dogs could provide valuable insights into how animals evolve and survive when faced with adversity.
More than two decades after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, a unique genetic change was discovered in dogs living in areas with high levels of radiation.
As a result of inbreeding after the disaster, many dogs turned out to be mixed breeds, reports Pravda.ru .
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