Fecal Methylmercury Correlates With Gut Microbiota Taxa in Pacific Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens).

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Methylmercury metabolism was investigated in Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) from St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, United States.

Methods

Total mercury and methylmercury concentrations were measured in fecal samples and paired colon samples (n = 16 walruses). Gut microbiota composition and diversity were determined using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Associations between fecal and colon mercury and the 24 most prevalent gut microbiota taxa were investigated using linear models.

Results

In fecal samples, the median values for total mercury, methylmercury, and %methylmercury (of total mercury) were 200 ng/g, 4.7 ng/g, and 2.5%, respectively, while in colon samples, the median values for the same parameters were 28 ng/g, 7.8 ng/g, and 26%,

SUBMITTER: Rothenberg SE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8220164 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature