Morphological abnormalities in gall-forming aphids in a radiation-contaminated area near Fukushima Daiichi: selective impact of fallout?

摘要: To evaluate the impact of fallout from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident on organisms, this study compared morphology and viability gall-forming aphids between population control populations noncontaminated areas. This study, in particular, focused first-instar gall formers derived first sexual reproduction after accident. Of 164 instars Tetraneura sorini galls collected 32 km spring 2012, 13.2% exhibited morphological abnormalities, including four conspicuously malformed individuals (2.4%). In contrast, seven areas, with abnormal accounted for 0.0–5.1% (on average, 3.8%). The proportions abnormalities mortality were significantly higher than Similarly, 134 T. nigriabdominalis galls, 5.9% one highly individual. However, 543 second-generation larvae produced T. sorini only 0.37% had suggesting that found generation not inherited by next generation. Although investigation is limited to site, result suggests radioactive contamination deleterious effects embryogenesis eggs deposited bark surface, but a negligible influence second closed galls. Furthermore, analysis both species samples 2013 indicated healthiness improved those 2012 samples. Thus, results suggest possibility reduced level radiation and/or selection tolerance may have led population.