Heavy metals and metallothionein in vespertilionid bats foraging over aquatic habitats in the Czech Republic

0356545 - ÚBO 2011 US eng J - Journal Article
Pikula, J. - Zukal, Jan - Adam, V. - Banďouchová, H. - Beklová, M. - Hájková, P. - Horáková, J. - Kizek, R. - Valentíková, L.
Heavy metals and metallothionein in vespertilionid bats foraging over aquatic habitats in the Czech Republic.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. Roč. 29, č. 3 (2010), s. 501-506. ISSN 0730-7268. E-ISSN 1552-8618.
[International Workshop on Aquatic Toxicology and Biomonitoring /1./. Vodňany, 27.08.2008-29.08.2008]
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60930519
Keywords : Microchiroptera * insect foraging * metallic elements * bioaccumulation
Subject RIV: EG - Zoology
Impact factor: 3.026, year: 2010

There has been growing interest in the study and conservation of bats throughout the world. Declines in their absolute numbers in recent decades are due, in part, to the fact that insectivorous bats may bioaccumulate toxic pollutants. The purpose of the present study was to quantify heavy metal concentrations in kidney, liver, and pectoral muscle samples in relation to metallothionein (MT) levels. In total, 106 bats belonging to 11 European species (i.e., Myotis myotis, Myotis daubentonii, Myotis brandtii, Myotis nattereri, Myotis emarginatus, Myotis mystacinus, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Pipistrellus nathusii, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Nyctalus noctulla, Eptesicus serotinus) were used for the study. The highest MT levels were found in Pipistrellus pipistrellus. High MT levels were also found in juvenile bats and aquatic-insect-foraging species.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0195039