V. Postgraduate students from the Karachi Kharkiv National University and scientists from the Chernobyl Radiation-Ecological Biosphere Reserve conducted an exploration in the exclusion zone of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Its purpose was to research amphibians.

Details of the scientists’ work were reported on the Reserve’s Press Service Facebook page.

Eleven species of tail and tailless amphibians are found in protected areas near the nuclear plant. Of particular interest is the complex of lake and pond frogs and their hybrids – edible frogs.

These hybrids are a special line of evolution. They can maintain their population independently and through parental categories. In different places, these complexes create unique combinations of equilibrium genetic patterns.

Participants in the field work assessed the species structure of the animals and took samples for their genetic analysis.

In the Ukrainian part of the exclusion zone, no such studies have been conducted so far.

Earlier in the day, “Strana” told us how the zonal observation of bats in the Chernobyl Reserve began.

We also wrote about a botanical expedition in the exclusion zone, during which time we discovered some very rare plants.