The aim of this work was to carry out a genotoxic monitoring on small rodents living in protected areas to determine the baseline values and to establish if some of these areas may be used as reference points for successive genotoxic monitoring. To this purpose, peripheral blood micronucleus test was applied for the first time to a high number of free living rodents (N=500). Six protected areas, located in the Centre of Italy, were studied. In total 241 Apodemus sylvaticus, and 259 Apodemus flavicollis were analysed. Results obtained show that the mean frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes is lower than the threshold value (2ME/1000E) established for laboratory mice. Micronuclei frequency and the percentage of animals with ME/1000E >= 2 are significantly (p = 2 significantly higher (p < 0.005) than mice from "Gran Sasso Logo" National Park and "Lago di Penne" Regional Natural Reserve. In conclusion, data obtained indicate that "Castelporziano" Estate and "Circeo" National Park are exposed to non negligible genotoxic impact. Results may be the basis for a genotoxic monitoring which has to be performed applying, at regular intervals, peripheral blood micronucleus test also in animals living in protected areas. This study highlights the need to consider the risk of environmental contamination inside the protected areas, to understand the related problems and, consequently, to carry out an adequate management and control program of the territory
