Open AccessSoil pollution by heavy metals correlates with levels of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites of a fossorial amphisbaenian reptile
Author(s) -
José Martı́n,
Isabel Barja,
Gonzalo RodríguezRuiz,
Pablo Recio,
Luis V. García
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
conservation physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.942
H-Index - 37
ISSN - 2051-1434
DOI - 10.1093/conphys/coab085
Subject(s) - fossorial , biology , pollution , soil water , environmental chemistry , biodiversity , pollutant , ecology , soil contamination , chemistry
Soil pollution by heavy metals may negatively affect the health of animals living inside these soils. This study shows that populations of a fossorial burrowing reptile inhabiting more polluted habitats and soils more difficult to dig have higher levels of faecal corticosterone metabolite, likely reflecting higher physiological stress levels.