| Effects of methylmercury exposure on the behavior of captive-reared common loon (Gavia immer) chicks. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20217222 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Behavioral effects resulting from exposure to dietary methylmercury (MeHg) have been reported in studies of several wildlife species. However, quantifying the impact of contaminant exposure on wild populations is complicated by the confounding effects of other environmental stressors. We controlled confounding stressors in a laboratory study to quantify the level of dietary MeHg exposure associated with negative effects on the fitness of captive-reared common loon (Gavia immer) chicks. We evaluated the effect of MeHg on loon chick behavior by employing several assays, including measures of righting reflexes, responsiveness to taped parental calls, reaction to frightening stimuli, and estimates of time activity budgets. Evidence suggested that as chicks aged, those exposed to nominal dietary dose levels of 0.4 and 1.2 microg Hg/g wet-weight in food (average estimated delivered dietary level of 0.55 and 1.94 microg Hg/g, respectively) were less likely (p < 0.01) to right themselves after being positioned on their backs during outdoor trials (> or =37 days old) compared to chicks on the control diet. We detected differences (p < 0.05) in several response variables with respect to source of eggs. Chicks from nests on low-pH lakes tended to spend more time on resting platforms, spent less time in the shade, were more likely to walk across a platform upon release and do it quicker, were less responsive to a frightening stimulus, and exhibited less intense response to parental wail calls than did chicks from neutral pH-lakes. Rapid MeHg excretion during feather growth likely provides loon chicks protection from MeHg toxicity and may explain the lack of behavioral differences with dietary intake. Lake source effects suggest that in ovo exposure to MeHg or other factors related to lake pH have consequences on chick behavior. |
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Authors:
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Kevin P Kenow; Randy K Hines; Michael W Meyer; Sarah A Suarez; Brian R Gray |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Date: 2010-03-09 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Ecotoxicology (London, England) Volume: 19 ISSN: 1573-3017 ISO Abbreviation: Ecotoxicology Publication Date: 2010 Jun |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-05-03 Completed Date: 2010-08-03 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 9885956 Medline TA: Ecotoxicology Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 933-44 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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U. S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, 2630 Fanta Reed Road, La Crosse, WI, 54603, USA. kkenow@usgs.gov |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Behavior, Animal / drug effects* Birds* Dose-Response Relationship, Drug Feathers / drug effects Female Hydrogen-Ion Concentration Male Methylmercury Compounds / administration & dosage, toxicity* Vocalization, Animal Water Pollutants, Chemical / administration & dosage, toxicity* |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Methylmercury Compounds; 0/Water Pollutants, Chemical |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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