The Atlantic's Adam Martin passes along the news that the winged creatures are exhibiting "abnormalities in their legs, antennae, and abdomens, and dents in their eyes." Researchers stress that the discovery of the butterflies doesn't necessarily mean human mutations are forthcoming, because "humans are totally different from butterflies and they should be far more resistant."

But this is small comfort, says Martin, because passages from the researchers' own report - which make explicit connections to previous radioactive disasters and related human mutations - suggest otherwise.

"Radioactive mutations are in play in the Fukushima fallout," he writes, "and while they're affecting butterflies now, that doesn't necessarily mean they'll stay relegated to the insect world."

Via The Atlantic.