14 research outputs found
Range expansion and prey use of American mink in Argentinean Patagonia: dilemmas for conservation
Adaptations of the reed frog Hyperolius viridiflavus (Amphibia, Anura, Hyperoliidae) to its arid environment
The effects of LEDs and duty ratio on the growth and physiological responses of Silene capitata Kom., endangered plant, in a plant factory
Reasons for prolonged time for diagnostic workup for stage I-II lung cancer and estimated effect of applying an optimized pathway for diagnostic procedures
A proliferation saturation index to predict radiation response and personalize radiotherapy fractionation
Spatially explicit risk assessment for coastal invaders under different management scenarios
Mercury levels and health parameters in the threatened Olrog’s Gull (Larus atlanticus) from Argentina
Mercury (Hg) exposure was investigated through feathers of Olrog's Gull and related to health parameters in adults (hematocrit, total plasma proteins, morphometric measures, sex) and chicks (hematocrit, total plasma proteins, immunoglobulins G and M) from a colony located in estuary of Bahia Blanca, Argentina. Mercury concentrations were 5.50 +/- 2.59 mu g g (-aEuro parts per thousand 1) (n = 44) in live adults, 1.85 +/- 0.45 mu g g (-aEuro parts per thousand 1) (n = 45) in live chicks and 1.81 +/- 0.41 mu g g (-aEuro parts per thousand 1) (n = 41) in dead chicks. Large differences were observed between live adults and live or dead chicks and small differences between live and dead chicks. In the adults, the sex of the birds was the variable that best explained Hg concentrations. Male birds had higher concentrations than females; this suggests that the clutch provides a sink for mercury during egg laying. Hg concentrations in both adults and live chicks were associated with higher hematocrits. This could be associated with upregulated erythropoiesis to compensate for increased rate of destruction of prematurely senescent, Hg-contaminated erythrocytes. Based on our results, on the levels of Hg pollution in the past in the study area, and on the dietary specialization of Olrog's Gull, we must be vigilant about potential negative effects of Hg pollution on this population and recommend continued monitoring on this threatened species