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Effects of external applications of fuel oil on hatchability of mallard eggs

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Edited by: Douglas A. Wolfe
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-021613-3.50020-6

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Abstract

An experiment was performed to determine the toxicity of oil to incubating eggs. Number 2 fuel oil, a mixture of 9 paraffin compounds, and propylene glycol were applied to the surface of artificially incubated mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) eggs. Seven groups of 50 eggs each were treated with 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 μl of fuel oil, 50 μ1 of the paraffin mixture, and 50 μl of propylene glycol. Fifty untreated eggs served as a control. Microliter syringes were used to apply the liquid around the air cell end of the egg on the 8th day of incubation. Embryonic mortality was significantly greater (P ≤ 0.01) in all oil treated groups and the paraffin mixture group than in the control group. Most of the embryonic mortality for the oiled eggs occurred within 72 hours of treatment. Hatching and post-hatching (4 weeks) weights of the ducklings in all treatment groups were not significantly different (P > 0.01) from the control. Thus, the transfer of even small quantities of oil to the egg surface is sufficient to reduce hatchability.

Publication type Book chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Title Effects of external applications of fuel oil on hatchability of mallard eggs
Chapter 15
DOI 10.1016/B978-0-08-021613-3.50020-6
Year Published 1977
Language English
Publisher Pergamon Press
Publisher location New York
Contributing office(s) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Description 6 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Conference publication
Larger Work Title Fate and Effects of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Marine Ecosystems and Organisms
First page 158
Last page 163
Conference Title Fate and Effects of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Marine Organisms and Ecosystems
Conference Location Seattle, Washington
Conference Date November 10-12, 1976
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