scholarly journals Unusual evolution of tree frog populations in the Chernobyl exclusion zone

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clément Car ◽  
André Gilles ◽  
Olivier Armant ◽  
Pablo Burraco ◽  
Karine Beaugelin‐Seiller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Burraco ◽  
Jean-Marc Bonzom ◽  
Clément Car ◽  
Karine Beaugelin-Seiller ◽  
Sergey Gashchak ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Human actions have altered natural ecosystems worldwide. Among the many pollutants released to the environment, ionizing radiation can cause severe damage at different molecular and functional levels. The accident in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (1986) caused the largest release of ionizing radiation to the environment in human history. Here, we examined the impact of the current exposure to ionizing radiation on blood physiology biomarkers of adult males of the Eastern tree frog (Hyla orientalis) inhabiting within and outside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. We measured the levels of eight blood parameters (sodium, potassium, chloride, ionized calcium, total carbon dioxide, glucose, urea nitrogen, and anion gap), physiological markers of homeostasis, as well as of liver and kidney function. Results Levels of blood physiology biomarkers did not vary in function of the current exposure of tree frogs to ionizing radiation within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Physiological blood levels were similar in frogs inhabiting Chernobyl (both in areas with medium-high or low radiation) than in tree frogs living outside Chernobyl exposed only to background radiation levels. Conclusions The observed lack of effects of current radiation levels on blood biomarkers can be a consequence of the low levels of radiation currently experienced by Chernobyl tree frogs, but also to the fact that our sampling was restricted to active breeding males, i.e. potentially healthy adult individuals. Despite the clear absence of effects of current radiation levels on physiological blood parameters in tree frogs, more research covering different life stages and ecological scenarios is still needed to clarify the impact of ionizing radiation on the physiology, ecology, and dynamics of wildlife inhabiting radioactive-contaminated areas.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clément Car ◽  
André Gilles ◽  
Olivier Armant ◽  
Pablo Burraco ◽  
Karine Beaugelin-Seiller ◽  
...  

AbstractDespite the ubiquity of pollutants in the environment, their long-term ecological consequences are not always clear and still poorly studied. This is the case concerning the radioactive contamination of the environment following the major nuclear accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Notwithstanding the implications of evolutionary processes on the population status, few studies concern the evolution of organisms chronically exposed to ionizing radiation in the Chernobyl exclusion zone. Here, we examined genetic markers for 19 populations of Eastern tree frog (Hyla orientalis) sampled in the Chernobyl region about thirty years after the nuclear power plant accident to investigate microevolutionary processes ongoing in local populations. Genetic diversity estimated from nuclear and mitochondrial markers showed an absence of genetic erosion and higher mitochondrial diversity in tree frogs from the Chernobyl exclusion zone compared to other European populations. Moreover, the study of haplotype network permitted us to decipher the presence of an independent recent evolutionary history of Chernobyl exclusion zone’s Eastern tree frogs caused by an elevated mutation rate compared to other European populations. By fitting to our data a model of haplotype network evolution, we suspected that Eastern tree frog populations in the Chernobyl exclusion zone have a high mitochondrial mutation rate and small effective population sizes. These data suggest that Eastern tree frogs populations might offset the impact of deleterious mutations because of their large clutch size, but also question the long term impact of ionizing radiation on the status of other species living in the Chernobyl exclusion zone.


Author(s):  
Kenichi Takaya

Mast cell and basophil granules of the vertebrate contain heparin or related sulfated proteoglycans. Histamine is also present in mammalian mast cells and basophils. However, no histamine is detected in mast cell granules of the amphibian or fish, while it is shown in those of reptiles and birds A quantitative x-ray microanalysis of mast cell granules of fresh frozen dried ultrathin sections of the tongue of Wistar rats and tree frogs disclosed high concentrations of sulfur in rat mast cell granules and those of sulfur and magnesium in the tree frog granules. Their concentrations in tree frog mast cell granules were closely correlated (r=0.94).Fresh frozen dried ultrathin sections and fresh air-dried prints of the tree frog tongue and spleen and young red-eared turtle (ca. 6 g) spleen and heart blood were examined by a quantitative energy-dispersive x-ray microanalysis (X-650, Kevex-7000) for the element constituents of the granules of mast cells and basophils. The specimens were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) (80-200 kV) and followed by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) under an analytical electron microscope (X-650) at an acceleration voltage of 40 kV and a specimen current of 0.2 nA. A spot analysis was performed in a STEM mode for 100 s at a specimen current of 2 nA on the mast cell and basophil granules and other areas of the cells. Histamine was examined by the o-phthalaldehyde method.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-32
Author(s):  
Jacinta Lalchhanhimi ◽  
Lalremsanga H.T.

The breeding biology of tree frog, Polypedates teraiensis was studied during the breeding season at Mizoram University Campus. It was found that sound production by male during the breeding season was primarily a reproductive function and advertisement calls attract females to the breeding areas and announce other males that a given territory is occupied. The aim of this study was to provide the detailed information on the breeding behaviour and the advertisement calls of Polypedates teraiensis. The morphometric measurements of the amplecting pairs (males and females) for sexual dimorphism along with clutch sizes were also studied.


2020 ◽  
pp. 11-18
Author(s):  
I.I. Ustinova ◽  
◽  
M.M. Dyomin ◽  
G.V. Aylikova ◽  
◽  
...  

The aim of the publication is to determine the prerequisites of and to elaborate on the foundations of the Exclusion Zone reintegration in order to address the issue of rational development of urban-planning documentation complex regarding the legitimacy of said territory exploitation. It is established that for the implementation of the «Radioactive waste management strategy» the production complex «Vector» is being constructed on the Exclusion Zone territory; a powerful park of renewable energy generation is being created to implement the «Chornobyl - a Territory of Change» strategy; a Chornobyl Radiation-Ecological Biosphere Reserve was established to support and increase the barrier function of the zone; in order to promote the Safe Chornobyl brand-name, the tourist traffic is being increased and the conditions for the visitors are improving. In the absence of developed and approved city planning documentation, the listed above causes the problem of legitimacy and rationality of the exclusion zone territory use. The paper for the first time raises the question of the need to elaborate the concept of functional planning of the Chornobyl NPP exclusion zone territory and the development of the design-planning complex (urban planning documentation): from the territory.


2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 74-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A. Yavniuk ◽  
N. K. Shevtsova ◽  
V. P. Petrusenko ◽  
Yu. O. Kutlakhmedov
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2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elda Irma Kawulur

<p><em>The Papuan tree frog Litoria infrafrenata has 12 chromosome pairs with two chromosome type, metasentric and submetasentric. Karyotype of Litoria infrafrenata was analyzed by determining centromere position and chromosome type. The difference of some chromosome type of L. infrafrenata in Manokwari do not indicate a closed relationship with specimen from Papua New Guinea.</em></p>


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