Genetic Variation in Bank Vole Populations in Natural and Metal-Contaminated Areas

Abstract The effects of isolation and heavy-metal pol-lution on genetic diversity in Myodes (=Clethrionomys) glareolus populations were studied. Isolation and pollution are considered to have important effects on biodiversity. Animals were collected from ten populations in isolated (island), mainland, and metal-polluted areas. Three popu-lations were in areas near zinc and lead smelters; four were on islands in the relatively unpolluted Mazurian Lake District and in the Bieszczady Mountains; and three were in clean-mainland areas in the Mazurian Lake District, the Niepołomice Forest, and the Bieszczady Mountains. Cad-mium and lead concentrations in liver and kidney were measured to assess the animals ’ exposure to metals. The metal concentrations were greater in animals from areas classed as polluted than in animals from the clean-main