Thanks to Nanuq for bringing to my attention the plight of Zizeeria maha butterflies in Japan.  These delicate creatures have the distinction of being the first animal population documented as suffering not just immediate affects from Fukushima radiation, but also proving that genetic mutations having resulted.

By comparing mutations found on the butterflies collected from the different sites, the team found that areas with greater amounts of radiation in the environment were home to butterflies with much smaller wings and irregularly developed eyes.

Apparently, the discovery came as something of a surprise to scientists.  According to Joji Otaki of the University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, who performed the genetic studies,

“It has been (previously) believed that insects are very resistant to radiation,”

Investigative procedures involved collection of live specimens from various sites throughout Japan; comparisons recorded of those specimens; and then subsequent generations being bred in controlled environments over a thousand miles form the site of the Fukushima disaster.  Those subsequent generations were examined for abnormalities, and the changes recorded.

Mr. Otaki and his team observed a worsening of mutations, including new anomalies not observed in the first generation, in later generations of the butterflies bred under lab conditions

A second collection of specimens from the wild was made six months after the first. Those too were examined and abnormalities documented.

It was found that those that remained to feed and breed in the radiation-laced wild fared even worse than their lab raised brethren; averaging double the anomalies of the controlled specimens.

Mr. Otaki’s team concluded that distributions of radiation over feeding ranges meant that the butterflies in the wild kept increasing their exposure with every meal, and the genetic impact grew as a result.

No doubt this is just the tip of the ecological iceberg from Fukushima; but don’t be surprised if you don’t hear a lot about it.  The nuclear fraternity is very good at closing ranks around damaging data and performing exorcisms to banish bad tidings from the news cycle.  Don’t forget that amazing PBS’s “Nature” whitewash, “Radioactive Wolves of Chernobyl!”