Chernobyl black frogs reveal evolution [?] in action

theconversation.com ^

[BenLurkin]

The impact of the acute exposure to high doses of radiation was severe for the environment and the human population. But more than three decades after the accident, Chernobyl has become one of the largest nature reserves in Europe. A diverse range of endangered species finds refuge there today, including bears, wolves, and lynxes.

As with other pollutants, radiation could be a very strong selective factor, favouring organisms with mechanisms that increase their survival in areas contaminated with radioactive substances.

After detecting the first black frogs in 2016, we decided to study the role of melanin colouration in Chernobyl wildlife. Between 2017 and 2019 we examined in detail the colouration of Eastern tree frogs in different areas of northern Ukraine.

During those three years we analysed the dorsal skin colouration of more than 200 male frogs captured in 12 different breeding ponds. These localities were distributed along a wide gradient of radioactive contamination. They included some of the most radioactive areas on the planet, but also four sites outside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and with background radiation levels used as controls.

Chernobyl tree frogs have a much darker colouration than frogs captured in control areas outside the zone. As we found out in 2016, some are pitch-black. This colouration is not related to the levels of radiation that frogs experience today and that we can measure in all individuals. The dark colouration is typical of frogs from within or near the most contaminated areas at the time of the accident.

The study of the Chernobyl black frogs constitutes a first step to better understanding the protective role of melanin in environments affected by radioactive contamination. In addition, it opens the doors to promising applications in fields as diverse as nuclear waste management and space exploration.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

I would call it “local natural selection.” It may not be a permanent change, in a generation or two in the absence of radiation, the group might revert in color.

A critical point is reached when those in the group can only reproduce with each other, not from other groups, which indicates they have become a different species.

If the group migrates to where others without the change live, unless their change gives them a survival advantage, giving them an advantage over different group enough to replace them, the selection is not successful.

A successful mutation is ruthless in killing off those without the mutation, which is why most of them fail.

[kara37]

Is this actually evolution or is it actually adaptation? Or is there a difference?
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I think there is a big difference. I think adaptation is probably real, and this might be an example of it.

However, There has not been one example of any species changing into another species. Apes are still apes. birds are still birds. and frogs are still frogs.