Lead concentrations in tissues of fruit bats (Pteropus sp.) in urban and non-urban locations

Abstract

Lead concentrations were measured in tissues from 37 fruit bats from the Brisbane area and 5 bats from non-urban areas. On the basis of toxicity levels of 25 ug per g of kidney and 10 ug per g of liver, 11 of the Brisbane bats had concentrations consistent with toxicity. Other Brisbane bats had very high lead concentrations in bone and teeth. The lead concentrations in the non-urban bats were very low. Lead concentrations in the fur were variable but were highly correlated with concentrations in bones and teeth, reflecting long-term exposure to lead. High concentrations of lead were recovered from fur washings, which correlated very highly with the concentrations in kidney and liver, reflecting more recent and continuing exposure to lead. The source of the lead was not verified but the atmosphere was the probable source. Measurement of lead concentrations in the fur and its washings would appear to provide a means of monitoring lead accumulation in the tissues of fruit bats over both the long and short term. Such measurements could be valuable in monitoring environmental exposure to lead.