Records of Southern Sea Lion (Otaria flavescens) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Otariidae) and Total Mercury (THg) Levels in Muscle Tissue of a Specimen on the East Coast of Rio de Janeiro State, Southeastern Brazil

Abstract

This study aims to present records of southern sea lions (Otaria flavescens) on the coast of Arraial do Cabo, located on the east coast of Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil, and information on the levels of total mercury (THg) found in muscle tissue of a specimen collected in the study area. Between July 2003 and February 2017, 5 occurrences of southern sea lions were recorded in the study area. Four of these records were of live animals, while one was of a carcass in advanced state of decomposition. In relation to the concentrations of THg found in the muscle tissue of the analyzed individual, they ranged from 0.047 to 0.067 mg/kg, with a mean value found of 0.057 mg/kg, a standard deviation of 0.010 and a coefficient of variation of 17.5%.