The snow vole ( Chionomys nivalis) as an appropriate environmental bioindicator in alpine ecosystems

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 391; no. 2; pp. 278 - 283
• Main Authors: Metcheva, Roumiana, Beltcheva, Michaela, Chassovnikarova, Tsenka
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.03.2008
• Subjects: Alpine; Altitude; Animals; Arvicolinae - metabolism; Beta Particles; Bone and Bones - metabolism; Bulgaria; Chionomys nivalis; Cytogenetic Analysis; Cytogenetical assessment; Ecosystem; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants - metabolism; Female; Gastrointestinal Contents; Gastrointestinal Tract; Heavy metal bioaccumulation; Hematologic Tests; Kidney - metabolism; Liver - metabolism; Male; Metals, Heavy - metabolism; Morpho-physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism; Oxygen Consumption; Population Density; Snow vole ( Chionomys nivalis); Spleen - metabolism; Zoomonitor; Bulgaria; Zoomonitor; Heavy metal bioaccumulation; Cytogenetical assessment; Snow vole ( Chionomys nivalis); Oxygen consumption; Alpine; Morpho-physiology
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.10.007

The snow vole ( Chionomys nivalis, Martins, 1842) is a common species in the Bulgarian high mountains. Its populations are distributed in different altitudes, regions, and keep stable population density. This is the reason the species has been tested as a bioindicator for environmental quality in alpine ecosystems. The cumulative environmental impact in snow vole populations was evaluated using cytogenetical, hematological, ecotoxicological, radiometrical, ecophysiological, and morphophysiological indices. Standard karyotype, chromosomal aberrations, and other diversions have been observed. These investigations reveal that the snow vole is one of the most appropriate species that can be used as a biomonitor for environmental assessment in mountain areas.