Direct and indirect causes of sex differences in mercury concentrations and parasitic infections in a marine bird

The Science of the Total Environment
J F ProvencherM R Forbes

Abstract

In many animal species, males and females differ in their levels of contaminants and/or parasitic infections. Most contaminants and gastro-intestinal parasites are obtained through prey ingestion, and thus the causes of sex differences in the distribution of these factors might follow similar pathways. We studied the northern common eider duck (Somateria molissima borealis) as an avian model, and used directed separation path analysis to explore the causes of sex differences in mercury (Hg) and gastro-intestinal helminths. Two trophically transmitted helminths were examined: a cestode (Lateriporus sp.) and an acanthocephalan (Polymorphus sp). We found that the number of Lateriporus sp. varied positively with stable isotope signature (as indicated by δ(15)N in eider breast muscle tissue), and negatively with crustaceans being present in the short term diet. We also found that Polymorphus sp. varied positively with eider tissue stable isotope signature. However, Polymorphus sp. varied negatively with sex indirectly through condition and liver mass. Similarly, Hg concentrations also varied negatively with sex indirectly through condition and liver mass, with both Polymorphus sp. intensity and Hg concentrations significantly higher...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jun 14, 2019·International Journal for Parasitology. Parasites and Wildlife·Stine VestboJennifer F Provencher
Dec 18, 2020·Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry·Cody A TisdaleJames A Martin
May 19, 2021·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·Zuzana Kompišová BallováGabriela Chovancová

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