| Abstract: | Three generations of mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) were fed either a control diet or a diet containing 0.5 ppm mercury in the form of methylmercury. The levels of mercury in adult tissues and eggs remained about the same over 3 generations. The methylmercury diet had no effect on adult weights or weight changes during the reproductive season. Females fed a diet containing 0.5 ppm mercury laid a greater percentage of their eggs outside their nestboxes than did controls, and also laid fewer eggs and produced fewer ducklings. Methylmercury in the diet appeared to result in a small amount of eggshell thinning. Ducklings from parents fed methylmercury were less responsive than, controls to tape-recorded maternal calls, but were hyper-responsive to a frightening stimulus in avoidance tests; there were no significant differences in locomotor activity in an open-field test. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 1008355 |
| Citation Author: | Rothstein, S. I.; Kus, B. E.; Whitfield, M. J.; Sferra, S. J. |
| Citation Contributing Office: | Western Ecological Research Center |
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| Citation End Page: | 167 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Studies in Avian Biology |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 11 |
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| Citation Phsyical Description: | p. 157-167 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Recommendations for cowbird management in recovery efforts for the southwestern willow flycatcher; 2003; Article; Journal; Studies in Avian Biology; Rothstein, S. I.; Kus, B. E.; Whitfield, M. J.; Sferra, S. J. |
| Citation Start Page: | 157 |
| Citation Volume: | 26 |
| Citation Year: | 2003 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Recommendations for cowbird management in recovery efforts for the southwestern willow flycatcher; 2003; Article; Journal; Studies in Avian Biology; Rothstein, S. I.; Kus, B. E.; Whitfield, M. J.; Sferra, S. J. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Wed, 1 Jan 2003 00:00 -0600 |
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