Inter-species and inter-colony differences in elemental concentrations in eggshells of sympatrically nesting great cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo and grey herons Ardea cinerea.

ABSTRACT: We compared the concentrations of 17 heavy metals and essential elements in post-hatching eggshells of two waterbirds, the obligate piscivorous great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo (GCM) and the more omnivorous grey heron Ardea cinerea (GHR), breeding sympatrically in eight mixed colonies in Poland. We found significant inter-species and inter-colony differences in the levels of most of the elements. GHR had significantly higher concentrations of Al, which can be explained by its very low stomach pH: an acidic environment favours the release of Al compounds. Differences in Mn, Ni, Cu, Se and Hg concentrations can be attributed to the various contributions of fish and other aquatic organisms to the diet, and to the exploration of different habitats (GCM exclusively aquatic, GHR a wider range

SUBMITTER: Jakubas D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6338717 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature