After the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster in 1986, the exclusion zone became saturated with radioactive substances, which significantly affected local ecosystems.
Spanish researchers led by Pablo Burracho studied eastern tree frogs Hyla orientalis inhabiting the Chernobyl area and found that individuals from the most contaminated sites have significantly darker skin compared to frogs from clean zones.
The reason for this is melanin, a pigment that protects cells from the harmful effects of radiation. It absorbs some of its energy and reduces the level of oxidative stress. Notably, dark frogs do not exhibit additional physiological burdens associated with this protective response.
The scientists established that dark coloration correlates with the habitats of individuals located near radiation 'hot spots' in the spring of 1986. This indicates the action of rapid natural selection during the critical period following the accident. Over 10–15 generations, dark forms, which were previously rare, became predominant within the exclusion zone.
The study shows that adaptations that arise in extreme conditions can persist even after the threat decreases. In the future, researchers plan to investigate which specific pigmentation genes are associated with this effect, as well as explore the potential applications of melanin in radiation protection materials.
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