Acephate affects migratory orientation of the white-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)

Vyas, N.B.; Kuenzel, W.J.; Hill, E.F.; Sauer, J.R.

Abstract:

Migratory white-throated sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) were exposed to acephate (acetylphosphoramidothioic acid O,S-dimethyl ester), an organophosphorus pesticide, to determine its effects on migratory orientation and behavior. Birds were also exposed to polarizer sheets to determine the mechanism by which acephate may affect migratory orientation. Adult birds exposed to 256 ppm acephate a.i. were not able to establish a preferred migratory orientation and exhibited random activity. All juvenile treatment groups displayed a seasonally correct southward migratory orientation. We hypothesize that acephate may have produced aberrant migratory behavior by affecting the memory of the migratory route and wintering ground. This experiment reveals that an environmentally relevant concentration of a common organophosphorus pesticide can alter migratory orientation, but its effect is markedly different between adult and juvenile sparrows. Results suggest that the survival of free-flying adult passerine migrants may be compromised following organophosphorus pesticide exposure.

Genre:

Article

ProdID:

5223085

Citation Author:

Vyas, N.B.; Kuenzel, W.J.; Hill, E.F.; Sauer, J.R.

Citation Contributing Office:

Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

Citation Datum:

Citation Day:

Citation Edition:

Citation Editor:

Citation End Page:

1965

Citation Issue:

Citation Keywords:

Citation Language:

English

Citation Larger Work Title:

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Citation LatN:

Citation LatS:

Citation LonE:

Citation LonW:

Citation Month:

Citation No Pagination:

Citation Number Of Pages:

Citation Online Only Flag:

Citation Phsyical Description:

1961-1965

Citation Projection:

Citation Public Comments:

Citation Publisher:

Citation Series:

Citation Series Code:

Citation Series Number:

Citation Search Results Text:

Acephate affects migratory orientation of the white-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis); 1995; Article; Journal; Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; Vyas, N.B.; Kuenzel, W.J.; Hill, E.F.; Sauer, J.R.