Hedgehogs and Biomonitoring Heavy Metal(loid)s

Abstract

Trace elements pollution is a current One Health problem, affecting the health of all living beings (including humans and animals) and the environment itself. Metal(loid)s (as As, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Pb, and others) represent hazardous substances with implications in different organs and organic functions, in both acute or chronic exposures. The use of animal species as biomonitoring tools has been pointed out as an essential piece to correctly monitor and evaluate this pollution worldwide. Hedgehogs have been used for this purpose although in very few locations, despite the notable potential they have, due to several biological and ecological characteristics. Their food regiment (mainly insectivorous), distribution, resilience, trophic level and adaptability represent some examples of those positive aspects. This review intends to briefly summarize these hedgehogs’ attributes and critically analyse them as positive aspects that turn this species into a suitable bioindicator of exposure and effects of heavy metal(loid) pollution.