Condition and Health of Rufous Bush Robin (Cercotrichas galactotes) Nestlings in a Polluted Oasis Habitat in Southern Tunisia

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Leila Alaya-LtifiSlaheddine Selmi

Abstract

We investigated whether the proximity to the Gabès-Ghannouche factory complex of phosphate treatment, in south-eastern Tunisia, was associated with notable changes in the condition and health of Rufous bush robin (Cercotrichas galactotes) nestlings hatched in the neighbouring oasis habitat. Results demonstrated that excrements of nestlings hatched in one oasis close to the factory complex contained higher concentrations of lead and zinc than the excrements of nestlings from one oasis situated 20 km away. Furthermore, when effects of age and nestling number in the nest were controlled, nestlings hatched near the factory complex showed reduced tarsus length, rectrix length, haematocrit level and haemoglobin concentration, but higher levels of fluctuating asymmetry compared to those from the more distant oasis. Overall, results suggest that the proximity to the factory complex was associated with increased exposure to metals and deterioration in nestling condition and development.

References

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Feb 1, 1995·Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology·K A Grasman, P F Scanlon
Jul 1, 1996·Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology·S LlacunaJ Nadal
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Jan 5, 2002·Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry·E JanssensM Eens
Jan 24, 2012·Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety·Leila Alaya-LtifiSlaheddine Selmi

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