ADAPTATION TO CADMIUM IN 3 POPULATIONS OF THE ISOPOD PORCELLIO-SCABER

1. First-generation laboratory animals of three populations of the isopod Porcellio scaber, collected from a reference wood, a zinc smelter area and a lead mine site, were compared with respect to effects of Cd. 2. All populations reacted differently to Cd-contaminated food: increased Cd concentrations in the food resulted in decreased consumption and growth for the reference isopods; mine isopods were not affected by Cd and for the smelter animals Cd stimulated growth at an intermediate concentration. 3. Since Cd concentrations in the isopod did not differ between populations, adaptation is probably based on an increased detoxification capacity. 4. The assimilation of Cd did not affect the Cu or Zn content of the isopods although the adapted isopods regulated their Cu content on a lower level than reference isopods.