From Guest Blogger Anabel Cooper: Animal Species Are Changed By Industry Development–Mutations Caused By Pollution

Technological and industrial development are the key factors that contributed to the amazing progress of humankind since the industrial revolution took place. Even though the positive effects are numerous, in this race for having better lives and making sure we all have what we need in terms of survival and comfort, there are also by-products that can really harm the environment and other species that we share it with. And out of those by-products, pollution is one of the biggest issues that we confront with. Keep reading to see how this is affecting the way some animal species live and evolve.

Pollution sources

Pollution can be everything from all the chemicals released into the air from factories or cars, contaminating the soil with too many agricultural nutrients, waste of any kind in the water, leakage from landfills or even human faeces. And even though the immediate effect on the wildlife is easy to spot and identify, the deeper genetic effects often remain unseen and sometimes pose an even bigger threat.

Mutations caused by pollution

All the chemicals resulted from various industrial processes, make their way into the animal system and often cause severe genetic mutations. For example, the exposure to heavy metals of certain plants from Russia and Finland lead to genetic mutations in great tits and pied flycatchers. The visible effects of these mutations are limited to a smaller size of these animals but who knows what could be next.
Also, water pollution from different chemical waste makes fish live in deeper waters, where there’s a lot less light which affects their normal growth and development, sometimes even changing their color. Pollution is the main factor that made some moths change their color to match the colors of the trees that were affected by air pollution.

Asymmetry

Another form in which animals are affected by the side products of industrial development is asymmetry. Asymmetry can happen in all body parts but they are most frequent in extremities or ornaments used to attract mates. A relevant example is one of the swallows with asymmetric ornaments that reproduce less and so their offspring have a lower chance of surviving and perpetuating the species. Asymmetry in foot size of a squirrel, for example, leads them to be more vulnerable to predators and thus having a lower chance of survival and reproduction.

In extreme cases, asymmetry can appear directly from waste that interacts with the body of an animal or a bird. Like the numerous cases of turtles that get caught in plastic rings. Because of plastic surrounding them, the shell is forced to develop in such way that it doesn’t meet resistance, leading to a totally deformed aspect of the turtle. A similar case can be observed in seagulls that get their beaks trapped in the same plastic rings and with no way to get rid of it, their bodies continue to grow around the external pollution source.

What can be done?

For years now, activists and wildlife guardians are trying to raise awareness on such mutations and modifications that pollution brings to animals. Unfortunately, the economic and financial stakes are often more important than the harm done. Even so, change can start with each and one of us by being more careful with our waste, recycling and report any industrial activity that affects the environment.