Radioactive pig-boar hybrids are thriving in Fukushima after nuclear disaster – now scientists know why
Scientists decode genetics of Fukushima’s radioactive pig-boar hybrids
- Japanese scientists have decoded the genetic mechanisms behind the proliferation of radioactive pig-boar hybrids in Fukushima's abandoned evacuation zone.
- Following the 2011 nuclear accident, escaped domestic pigs bred with native wild boars, creating a unique natural experiment.
- The study found that domestic pig genes were rapidly diluted across generations, making hybrids more wild boar-like over time.
- However, the rapid, year-round reproductive capacity inherited from domestic pigs persisted in the hybrid population.
- These findings offer insights for wildlife management and damage control strategies for invasive species globally, particularly regarding population explosion risks.
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