Darwinism must have bypassed Chernobyl

In 2011, it was noted that Chernobyl, forbidden to humans due to radiation after the nuclear accident, had not shown signs of new species evolving by natural selection acting on random mutations (Darwinism), as hoped. But it was simply teeming with usual wildlife.

A recent article updates the theme:

Most Chernobyl Animals Don’t Look Any Different from Their Non-Chernobyl Counterparts.

Tour guides tell visitors not to pet Chernobyl animals due to potential radioactive particles in their fur, but some biologists have been surprised that the incidence of physical mutations appears lower than the blast of radiation would have suggested. There have been some oddities recorded within the area—such as partial albinism among barn swallows—but researchers think that the serious mutations mostly happened directly after the explosion. Today’s wild animals are sporting their normal number of limbs and aren’t glowing.

Claudia Dimuro, “8 Facts About the Animals of Chernobyl” at Mental Floss

Insects suffered a drop in numbers though.

See also: Is there anything city life can’t do? We are now told it is affecting evolution.

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