title: Brains of Native and Alien Mesocarnivores in Biomonitoring of Toxic Metals in Europe.
abstract: Mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are involved in mammalian brain damage. However, little is known about Pb and Cd brain levels in wildlife that reflect the geochemical background. The aims of the study include the estimation of Hg, Pb and Cd concentrations, and the determination of relationships between these elements in the brains of 94 mesocarnivores. Road-killed or hunted animals were obtained from north-western Poland near the Polish-German border. The investigation covered the native Eurasian otter Lutra lutra, badger Meles meles, pine marten Martes martes, beech marten M. foina, European polecat Mustela putorius, red fox Vulpes vulpes, and alien species: feral and ranch American mink Neovison vison, raccoon Procyon lotor and raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides. Depending on the diet and environmental pollution, the carnivore brains accumulated toxic metals in varying amounts. The highest median Hg levels (in mg/kg dry weight, dw) were found in the piscivorous Eurasian otter and feral mink (2.44 and 3.96), Pb in the omnivorous raccoon (0.47), while Cd in minks (~0.06). We indicated that Pb-based ammunition is a significant source of the element in scavengers from hunting area, and we also found a significant correlation between Pb and Cd levels in the fox brain. Finally, this study is the first to suggest background levels for brain Pb and Cd in mesocarnivores (<0.50 and <0.04 mg/kg dw, respectively).
authors: Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors: Elzbieta
authors: E
authors: Kalisinska
authors: Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors: Natalia
authors: N
authors: Lanocha-Arendarczyk
authors: Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors: Danuta
authors: D
authors: Kosik-Bogacka
authors: Department of Health Education, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland.
authors: Halina
authors: H
authors: Budis
authors: Department of Environmental Management and Protection, Western Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Poland.
authors: Joanna
authors: J
authors: Podlasinska
authors: Department of Parasitology, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors: Marcin
authors: M
authors: Popiolek
authors: Department of Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology, Institute of Biology, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors: Agnieszka
authors: A
authors: Pirog
authors: Warta Mouth National Park, Chyrzyno, 1, Poland.
authors: Ewa
authors: E
authors: Jedrzejewska
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002335:Carnivora / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005060:Europe; D000075322:Heavy Metal Poisoning; D008670:Metals / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis; D011041:Poisoning
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D008670:Metals; D019216:Metals, Heavy