INTERSPECIFIC DIFFERENCES IN MIXED-FUNCTION OXIDASE ACTIVITY IN BIRDS- A TOOL TO IDENTIFY SPECIES AT RISK

The aim of this study was to explore the influence of diet on the deve lopment of interspecific differences in the detoxication capacity of t he mixed function oxidase (MFO) system (monooxygenase) among birds. Th e role of MFO activity in the detoxication/bioaccumulation of organoch lorines (e.g., PCBs) was also investigated. Seven different species of birds were analysed: the yellow-legged herring gull (Larus cachinnans ), black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus), jackdaw (Corvus monedula), ma gpie (Pica pica), cormorant, (Phalacrocorax carbo), coot (Fulica atra) and sparrow (Passer italiae). These species have different feeding ha bits ranging from omnivorous species like the yellow-legged herring gu ll to specialist and stenophagic species like the cormorant. This prel iminary study confirms the relationship between feeding habits and evo lutionary interspecific differences in MFO activity.