A Review of the Occurrence of Metals and Xenobiotics in European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus).

ABSTRACT: Monitoring data from several European countries indicate that European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) populations are declining, and research exploring the causes of the decline, including exposure to potentially harmful xenobiotics and metals, may inform conservation initiatives to protect this species in the wild. Hedgehogs are ground-dwelling mammals, feeding on a range of insects, slugs, snails, and earthworms, as well as eggs, live vertebrates, and carrion, including carcasses of apex predator species representing higher levels of the food chain. Consequently, hedgehogs come into close contact with contaminants present in their habitats and prey. This review investigated the studies available on the subject of the occurrence of metals and organic xenobiotics in hedgehogs. This

SUBMITTER: Rasmussen SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10812797 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature