A team of scientists from the United States, led by the University of Southern Carolina, carried out a great study on dog populations living in the alienation zone of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Although the radiation effect did not affect the appearance of animals, significant changes have emerged in DNA. Consequences published In Science Advances magazine.
Scientists have identified three main dog groups depending on the degree of the radiation background: in Chernobyl, in the destroyed reactor region, and relatively “clean” Slavutic. The most genetically isolated population is not known directly at the station, but the exact time of its formation is unknown.
Genetic analysis revealed significant differences between groups. Dogs from Chernobyl city, station residents were closer to shepherds – pinters. Interestingly, unlike the wolves, all three populations establish close contact with each other and form a unique ecosystem under the conditions of alienation.
The researchers were influenced by mutations related to the special attention, DNA restoration and immune response. These changes may explain the incredible stability of Chernobyl dogs to cancer and other diseases caused by radiation. According to scientists, adaptation manifests itself in the advanced work of cellular healing mechanisms and advanced immune defense, which provides an evolutionary advantage to animals under constant radiation conditions.
Discovery not only shed light on the survival of animals under extreme conditions, but can also become the basis of new research in the field of medicine, genetic and radiobiology.
Previously, scientists LearnedAbandoned Chernobyl soils can return to the Agricultural Boot.
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Source: Gazeta
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