Methylmercury: second-generation reproductive and behavioral effects on mallard ducks

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · J. Wildl. Manage.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3800567· OSTI ID:6295076

Heinz, G H

Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) whose parents were fed a diet containing 0.5 ppm mercury (equal to about 0.1 ppm mercury in a natural diet) also were fed a diet containing 0.5 ppm mercury beginning at 9 days of age and continuing through their reproductive season. Mercury in the eggs of treated hens averaged 0.86 ppm. Hens fed 0.5 ppm mercury made less efficient use of feed and laid a greater percentage of eggs outside nestboxes compared with controls. Hens fed mercury also produced fewer 1-week-old ducklings than did controls. There were no significant differences between controls and ducklings from parents fed 0.5 ppm mercury in approach responses to tape-recorded maternal calls, in avoidance of a frightening stimulus, or in open-field behavior. Ducklings from parents fed 0.5 ppm mercury did not grow as fast as did control ducklings.

• Research Organization: Fish and Wildlife Service, Laurel, MD
• OSTI ID: 6295076
• Journal Information: J. Wildl. Manage.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Wildl. Manage.; (United States) Vol. 40:4; ISSN JWMAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550100 -- Behavioral Biology
560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL GROWTH
ANIMALS
AVOIDANCE
BEHAVIOR
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIRDS
CONTAMINATION
DIET
DISTRIBUTION
DUCKS
EGGS
FOWL
GROWTH
INGESTION
INTAKE
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
METHYLMERCURY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
PRENATAL EXPOSURE
PROGENY
REPRODUCTION
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES