CHROMOSOME RACES AND TISSUE HEAVY-METALS IN FREE-LIVING MALE COMMON SHREWS (SOREX-ARANEUS L)

The heavy metal concentrations of the Liver and kidneys of free-living male common shrews of three chromosome races (Ulm, Stobnica (II), Leg ucki Mlyn (IV)) and hybrids II/IV were determined. The concentrations of zinc, iron, manganese and cadmium as well as their distribution bet ween liver and kidneys were not affected by the karyotype. Adult shrew s of the Ulm race displayed a significantly lower liver copper concent ration than that of the other shrews, whereas the kidney copper concen trations of the four groups did not differ significantly. These result s suggest that the Ulm race is a discrepant one in terms of copper met abolism; the possible involvement of genetic basis in this phenomenon is discussed.