Distribution of Inorganic and Methylmercury among Tissues in Mink (Mustela vison) and Otter (Lutra canadensis)

Evans, R. Douglas; Addison, Edward M.; Villeneuve, Janice Y.; MacDonald, Katherine S.; Joachim, D. G.

doi:10.1006/enrs.2000.4077

Cited by 67 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…In mink, hair mercury values of about 90-170 times higher are reported, as well (Evans et al 2000;Fortin et al 2001). Hair mercury values in carnivores such as raccoon, cat, and panther are higher than in jackal species (Sakai et al 1995;Porcella et al 2004;Newman et al 2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

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Evaluation of the suitability of application of golden jackal (Canis aureus) hair as a noninvasive technique for determination of body burden mercury

et al. 2010

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An evaluation of suitability of applying hair as a noninvasive indicator for determination of the body burden mercury in mammals was carried out by determining the concentration of mercury in hair and liver tissue of the golden jackal, Canis aureus . Nineteen jackals killed on the roads along the Caspian Sea in the central region of Mazandaran Province, Iran were collected. The mercury measurements were carried out by AMA254 LECO and the standard method ASTM-D6722. SPSS and Excel were used for analytical statistics. There was a significant difference in Hg levels between the hair and liver tissue (P < 0.001). The average concentration of mercury was 187.3 + or - 22.7 and 53.3 + or - 7.3 ng/g, respectively. No significant differences were seen either between the sexes or in correlation between the tissues. But a significant and positive relation was seen between the mercury content in hair and body weight and length (P < 0.005). In general, the mercury concentration was less than the deleterious, effective limit on the species. It seems that this is the first study of Hg concentrations in jackals and demonstrates on easy and noninvasive sampling method.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…There are a few studies about the mercury content in internal organs of such species as mink, otter, raccoons and possums (Evans et al 1998(Evans et al , 2000Fortin et al 2001;Gerstenberger et al 2006). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Evaluation of the suitability of application of golden jackal (Canis aureus) hair as a noninvasive technique for determination of body burden mercury

et al. 2010

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“…Fur Hg concentrations are an order of magnitude higher than brain, liver, and kidney for both total Hg and MeHg [4,5,33]. The sample size of breeding females in the present study may not be large enough to rigorously test for consequences on reproduction, given all the other correlates involved.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Additional factors that may decouple fur Hg and reproductive effects include demethylation and shunting to fur. Several studies have suggested that MeHg may be demethylated (and thus detoxified) in the liver of waterbirds, and although this may occur in otters, the mechanisms are not well understood [7,14,32,33].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Correlates of mercury in female river otters (Lontra canadensis) from Nova Scotia, Canada

Spencer

Shutler

O'Brien

2011

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Mercury (Hg) can reach toxic concentrations in aquatic habitats, sometimes as a consequence of human activity. Mercury can have deleterious effects, particularly in piscivorous mammals in which it bioaccumulates. Furs from trapper-provided female otter (Lontra canadensis) carcasses in Nova Scotia were analyzed for total Hg. Concentrations of total Hg in fur samples averaged 25 µg/g dry weight, ranging from 1.4 to 137 µg/g; 20 µg/g is the fur concentration at which toxic effects are expected. Mercury concentrations were greater in otters from watersheds with bedrock substrates known to contain more available Hg, from otters trapped farther inland, and from otters trapped on watersheds with hydroelectric dams. Otter reproductive potential was measured by counting the number of blastocysts in reproductive tracts. Tooth annuli were used to age otters. Reproductive potential was not related to Hg concentration, nor was Hg concentration related to age. In a general linear model, 53% of variation in fur Hg was explained by underlying bedrock, distance from the coast at which otters were trapped, and presence/absence of a hydroelectric dam. The proportion of juveniles in a population did not differ relative to bedrock Hg concentration, but was lower on watersheds with hydroelectric dams. Because we found no evidence of reduced reproductive potential from greater Hg concentrations, the low proportion of juveniles suggests that Hg reduced juvenile survival, although our evidence is circumstantial.

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“…Similar differences in Hg metabolism have been reported between piscivorous Mustelid species. Relative to river otters, mink showed an inferior apparent ability to demethylate MeHg and to increase Se in their brains with increasing Hg concentrations (Evans et al 2000;Haines et al 2004;Basu et al 2005b, c). Several studies have documented Hg toxicity in mink (Basu et al 2007c), whereas there is only limited evidence in wild river otters (Wren 1985).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Relationships among mercury, selenium, and neurochemical parameters in common loons (Gavia immer) and bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

et al. 2007

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Fish-eating birds can be exposed to levels of dietary methylmercury (MeHg) known or suspected to adversely affect normal behavior and reproduction, but little is known regarding Hg's subtle effects on the avian brain. In the current study, we explored relationships among Hg, Se, and neurochemical receptors and enzymes in two fish-eating birds--common loons (Gavia immer) and bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). In liver, both species demonstrated a wide range of total Hg (THg) concentrations, substantial demethylation of MeHg, and a co-accumulation of Hg and Se. In liver, there were molar excesses of Se over Hg up to about 50-60 microg/g THg, above which there was an approximate 1:1 molar ratio of Hg:Se in both species. However, in brain, bald eagles displayed a greater apparent ability to demethylate MeHg than common loons. There were molar excesses of Se over Hg in brains of bald eagles across the full range of THg concentrations, whereas common loons often had extreme molar excesses of Hg in their brains, with a higher proportion of THg remaining as MeHg compared with eagles. There were significant positive correlations between brain THg and muscarinic cholinergic receptor concentrations in both species studied; whereas significant negative correlations were observed between N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor levels and brain Hg concentration. There were no significant correlations between brain Se and neurochemical receptors or enzymes (cholinesterase and monoamine oxidase) in either species. Our findings suggest that there are significant differences between common loons and bald eagles with respect to cerebral metabolism and toxicodynamics of MeHg and Se. These interspecies differences may influence relative susceptibility to MeHg toxicity; however, neurochemical responses to Hg in both species were similar.

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Distribution of Inorganic and Methylmercury among Tissues in Mink (Mustela vison) and Otter (Lutra canadensis)

Cited by 67 publications

References 21 publications

Evaluation of the suitability of application of golden jackal (Canis aureus) hair as a noninvasive technique for determination of body burden mercury

Evaluation of the suitability of application of golden jackal (Canis aureus) hair as a noninvasive technique for determination of body burden mercury

Correlates of mercury in female river otters (Lontra canadensis) from Nova Scotia, Canada

Relationships among mercury, selenium, and neurochemical parameters in common loons (Gavia immer) and bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

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