The biological impacts of the Fukushima nuclear accident on the pale grass blue butterfly
- Atsuki Hiyama 1,
- Chiyo Nohara 1,
- Seira Kinjo 1,
- Wataru Taira 1,
- Shinichi Gima 2,
- Akira Tanahara 2
- &Joji M. Otaki 1
- 1 The BCPH Unit of Molecular Physiology, Department of Chemistry, Biology and Marine Science, Faculty of Science
- 2 Instrumental Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
ABSTRACT
caused a massive release of radioactive materials to the environment.
A prompt and reliable system for evaluating
the biological impacts of this accident
on animals has not been available.
Here we show that the accident
caused physiological and genetic damage
to the pale grass blue Zizeeria maha,
a common lycaenid butterfly in Japan.
We collected the first-voltine adults
in the Fukushima area in May 2011,
some of which showed
relatively mild abnormalities.
The F1offspring
from the first-voltine females
showed more severe abnormalities,
which were inherited by the F2 generation.
Adult butterflies
collected in September 2011
showed more severe abnormalities
than those collected in May.
Similar abnormalities
were experimentally reproduced
in individuals from a non-contaminated area
by external and internal low-dose exposures.
We conclude that artificial radionuclides
from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant
caused physiological and genetic damage to this species.
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