DOSES OF RADIOACTIVE PHOSPHORUS (P-32) FOR INJECTING CLETHRIONOMYS-GLAREOLUS (RODENTIA, MICROTINAE) TO DETECT THEIR EXCREMENTS IN NATURE

An optimal dose of P-32 (Na2HP32O4) was experimentally obtained for bank voles, i.e. the dosage which would ensure excretion of the radionuclide with urine and feces for a long time being at the same time reasonably harmless for the animals. It was shown in the laboratory that a dosage of 15 MBc causes a drop in the body mass by the 14th day no more than by 8 percent. The exposition dosage with the excretes during the whole period exceeded the threshold values of the "Signal" radiometer (0.05-0.08 mR/h). In nature, in the forest substrate, for instance, the dosage of 15 MBc permits recording confidently all minimal daily portions of excretes for 5 to 7 days after the injection of the radionuclide. The strength of the exposure dosage of 1 urine drop and 1 faecal pellet is sufficient to be detected even 7 days after the excretion. The experimental results show that this radionuclide can be used to analyze the dynamics of spatial distribution of the urine and excrements of one bank vole during one week.