Free-living rodents as bioindicators of genetic risk in natural protected areas

A study was carried out in the south of the Iberian Peninsula in an industrial area (Huelva city) and in two natural areas (‘Reserva Biologica de Doñana’ in Doñana National Park and ‘Isla Cristina’ Marshland Natural Park), located windward and leeward of the industrial area, to estimate genetic risk induced by environmental pollution in wild mice. Mutagenetic effects in Algerian mice (Mus spretus) free living in the industrial area and the range of contamination on other populations of the same species living in the two natural protected areas, were investigated. Micronucleus test on bone marrow and peripheral blood was used to detect genetic alterations. A statistically significant increase in the frequency of micronuclei was observed in animals from the industrial area and from the Doñana Biological Reserve in comparison with those from ‘Isla Cristina’ marshlands. The results suggest that the mutagenicity level in natural populations living in protected areas should be controlled, and wild mice could be used as key organisms in pollution monitoring and environmental conservation.