An alarming new study shows that large numbers of butterflies are
exhibiting abnormalities in the wake of the nuclear disaster in Japan.
The study published in the journal Scientific Reports found that nearly 30% pale grass blue butterflies known as Zizeeria maha, that were collected from the site of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, exhibited deformities. More than half of their offspring are also similarly mutated.
These butterflies were larvae when the Fukushima meltdown occurred. Once they grew up, the experienced malformed antennae, irregularly developed eyes, and wings much smaller than those of butterflies collected in areas not exposed to radiation.
Such findings led researchers to suggest that the radioactive material released into the environment was responsible for the mutations. Creepy. Here's hoping that other bugs that were at the site don't evolve in freaky ways. The last thing Japan needs right now is to deal with mutant bugs:
via BBC
The study published in the journal Scientific Reports found that nearly 30% pale grass blue butterflies known as Zizeeria maha, that were collected from the site of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, exhibited deformities. More than half of their offspring are also similarly mutated.
These butterflies were larvae when the Fukushima meltdown occurred. Once they grew up, the experienced malformed antennae, irregularly developed eyes, and wings much smaller than those of butterflies collected in areas not exposed to radiation.
Such findings led researchers to suggest that the radioactive material released into the environment was responsible for the mutations. Creepy. Here's hoping that other bugs that were at the site don't evolve in freaky ways. The last thing Japan needs right now is to deal with mutant bugs:
via BBC
