(Image source: Reproduction / Scientific Reports)

According to the BBC, a study by Japanese scientists suggests that the fauna present near the Fukushima region is already starting to mutate due to exposure to radioactive material released after the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit Japan in 2011.

According to the publication, scientists have found butterflies with severe mutations, especially in the wings, with anomalies in pigmentation and size. Other changes were also found in other insect organs, such as antenna malformation, irregularly developing eyes, and abdomen and paw deformation.

Mutant butterflies

Scientists collected 144 butterflies from the Zizeeria maha species in 10 different locations - including Fukushima - just two months after the disaster, noting that specimens from areas with the highest amounts of radiation also had more mutations.

(Image source: Playback / BBC)

In addition, after breeding the insects in the laboratory, the researchers observed that genetic mutations were also passed on to the following generations. And in subsequent collections, performed six months after the first evaluation, the scientists found that the Fukushima butterflies already had an anomaly rate twice as high as that observed in the first specimens studied.

The researchers believe that this increase is probably due to the fact that insects consume contaminated food in addition to the altered genetic material transmitted from affected generations. Most worryingly, anomalies continue to be observed even after radiation levels at the site have significantly decreased, indicating that it will be a long time before the area is fully decontaminated.

Sources: Scientific Reports and BBC