Chernobyl dogs show genetic adaptation through natural selection

A genetic study of dogs living near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant reveals that their DNA differs significantly from canine populations in nearby towns, such as Chernobyl city, located approximately 16 kilometers away.

Researchers from North Carolina State University and other institutions analyzed the genomes of over 100 dogs within the exclusion zone. The study suggests that these genetic differences are likely driven by natural selection rather than direct mutations caused by radiation. The team identified more than 100 genomic regions showing signs of selective pressure, specifically in genes related to DNA repair, immune system function, cell cycle regulation, and tumor processes.

While the dogs are descendants of pets left behind after the 1986 disaster, the study indicates that genetic drift alone cannot fully explain the observed variations. By comparing the exclusion zone population with dogs from Eastern Europe and the Galapagos Islands, scientists found that the Chernobyl dogs have adapted to survive in their unique environment through beneficial inherited traits.