Methylmercury: second-year feeding effects on mallard reproduction and duckling behavior

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1976 · J. Wildl. Manage.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3800158· OSTI ID:5090504

Heinz, G H

For 2 consecutive years mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) hens were fed a control diet or a diet that contained 0.5 or 3 ppm mercury as methylmercury (about 0.1 and 0.6 ppm mercury on the basis of a natural succulent diet). During the fifth egg-collection period, levels of mercury in eggs of hens fed 0.5 and 3 ppm mercury averaged 0.79 and 5.46 ppm, respectively; on a dry-weight basis, the concentration of mercury in eggs was 4.88 times as great as that in the feed of ducks fed 0.5 ppm mercury and 5.64 times as great for ducks fed 3 ppm mercury. There were no significant differences in egg production or hatching success among controls and groups fed mercury. Ducklings from hens fed 3 ppm mercury were less likely to survive to 1 week of age than were controls or ducklings from parents fed 0.5 ppm mercury. There were no significant differences in approach behavior among the offspring of controls and groups fed mercury. In avoidance behavior, ducklings whose parents were fed 3 ppm mercury were hyper-responsive compared with controls and ducklings from parents fed 0.5 ppm mercury. 32 references, 1 table.

• Research Organization: Fish and Wildlife Service, Laurel, MD
• OSTI ID: 5090504
• Journal Information: J. Wildl. Manage.; (United States), Vol. 40:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
DUCKS
BEHAVIOR
REPRODUCTION
METHYLMERCURY
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CONTAMINATION
DIET
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
EGGS
INGESTION
ANIMALS
BIRDS
FOWL
INTAKE
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
VERTEBRATES
560305* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Vertebrates- (-1987)