Chernobyl dogs show signs of natural selection to survive radiation

A new study published in the journal Genes suggests that dogs living near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant are undergoing natural selection to survive the chronically contaminated environment. Researchers, led by Megan Dillon of North Carolina State University, compared the DNA of dogs residing at the nuclear site with those from the nearby city of Chernobyl and other global populations.

The findings indicate that the genetic differences cannot be explained by random genetic drift alone. Instead, the genomic regions under the highest selective pressure are associated with critical biological functions, including DNA repair, immunity, and cell survival. These adaptations may allow the population to better withstand the toxic effects of radiation exposure.

It is estimated that several hundred dogs inhabit the Exclusion Zone, many of whom are descendants of domestic animals abandoned after the nuclear disaster. This multigenerational population provides a unique model for scientists to study genomic responses to environmental contamination.