Adaptation of small mammals to radiocontaminated environment: Oxidative metabolism and radioresistance

Abstract

Differences in radioresistance and oxidative metabolism parameters in rodents of different ecological specialization in the East Ural radioactive trace (EURT) area are shown. Northern mole voles (radiosensitive species) exhibit a pronounced resistance to chronic exposure to radiation, living in a series of generations in a radioactive environment, whereas pigmy wood mice (radioresistant species) are less resistant in the EURT area due to their migration activity. Thus, under the EURT area conditions, northern mole voles realize the genotypic radioadaptation, whereas pigmy wood mice realize the physiological radioadaptation, the key role in which is played by the ecological and physiological characteristics and the lifestyle of animals.