Neomys fodiens

MERCURY CONTENT AND ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM IN INSECTIVOROUS (INSECTIVORA, MAMMALIA) AND RODENTS (RODENTIA, MAMMALIA) OF VARIOUS ECOGENESIS

The present study was aimed at analyzing the total mercury in the tissues of mammals adapted to the semi-aquatic or subterranean lifestyle and at analyzing the possible role of their antioxidant system in heavy metal detoxification. The water shrew (Neomys fodiens Pennant, 1771), European mole (Talpa europaea Linnaeus 1758), muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus Linnaeus, 1766), and water vole (Arvicola terrestris Linnaeus, 1758) were the species under study.