The Dogs of Chernobyl Are Experiencing Rapid Evolution, Study Suggests
Abandoned canines adapt to harsh conditions in the nuclear wasteland
Researchers find significant genetic changes in dogs exposed to radiation
In the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, the abandoned dogs that roam the ghost town of Pripyat have undergone remarkable genetic changes, according to a new study.
Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, analyzed the DNA of dogs living within the Chernobyl exclusion zone and found significant differences compared to dogs living outside the zone.
The study, published in the journal "Ecology Letters," suggests that the dogs have evolved rapidly to adapt to the harsh conditions of the nuclear wasteland, which is still highly radioactive today.
The researchers found that the dogs have developed a number of new genetic traits, including genes that help them protect against radiation and genes that allow them to survive on a diet of scavenged food.
The findings have implications for understanding how animals can adapt to extreme environments and for the potential long-term effects of radiation exposure.
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