Zinc kinetics in the ant Myrmica rubra originating from a metal pollution gradient

► We model Zn kinetics in wild populations of the ant Myrmica rubra originating from a post-mining metal-polluted area. ► Workers of M. rubra were exposed to dietary Zn (1000mgkg−1) for a 80day uptake period followed by 30days of clean food. ► The kinetics parameters in all study sites were insignificant due to efficient Zn regulation. ► No adaptive alterations of metal uptake or excretion were found in M. rubra. Ants are efficient trace metal accumulators, but metal kinetics in ants has not been described. Workers of Myrmica rubra collected in seven meadows along a metal pollution gradient were exposed to dietary Zn (1000mgkg−1) for a 80day uptake period followed by 30days of clean food. Zn concentrations in the ants from all study sites were found to have been maintained on a stable level, indicating very efficient Zn regulation. No proof of adaptation in terms of enhanced elimination or restricted accumulation of Zn was found. Nevertheless, the results illustrate the general kinetics of Zn in M. rubra, irrespective of the differences between sites.