Trace element contamination in feather and tissue samples from Anna’s hummingbirds

Mikoni, Nicole A.; Poppenga, Robert H.; Ackerman, Joshua T.; Foley, Janet E.; Hazlehurst, Jenny; Purdin, Güthrum; Aston, Linda S.; Hargrave, Sabine; Jelks, Karen A.; Tell, Lisa A.

doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2017.04.053

Cited by 31 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…The first phase of the study was to develop and validate an analytical method for measuring retinol and α-tocopherol in small mass tissue samples because most methods require large sample masses ( 8 ). Similar to another study that developed a method for quantifying trace elements in small mass tissue samples ( 10 ) the assay method for retinol and α-tocopherol has consistent performance. In addition, regardless of the variability in chicken brain tissue quality control sample masses (lowest mass of 0.05 g), α-tocopherol concentrations were very close to expected concentrations (CV = 6.7%), thus supporting the precision of the analytical method.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 62%

Concentrations of Retinol and α-Tocopherol in Tissue Samples From Anna's Hummingbirds (Calypte anna)

et al. 2020

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Retinol (vitamin A) and α-tocopherol (vitamin E) concentrations were measured in tissue samples (liver, heart, pectoral muscle, and brain) from Anna's Hummingbirds ( Calypte anna ). Hummingbirds were after-hatch year birds that were sourced from various rehabilitation centers throughout California. Tissues samples were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Minimum, maximum, mean, standard deviation (SD), and median ppm concentrations were calculated for each vitamin and tissue sample type. A novel analytical method was developed to analyze small mass tissue samples, with the smallest sample mass being 0.05 g for which analysis can be performed. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) concentrations of retinol in hummingbird livers, hearts, and pectoral muscle samples were 269.0 ± 216.9 ppm, 1.8 ± 2.2 ppm, and 0.3 ± 0.1 ppm, respectively. Mean ± SD α-tocopherol concentrations were 6.9 ± 4.6 ppm, 5.5 ± 4.0 ppm, 3.7 ± 2.2 ppm, and 9.1 ± 3.2 ppm for liver, heart, pectoral muscle, and brain samples, respectively. Vitamin concentrations from varying tissue types were compared to determine which were best associated with liver concentrations, the most commonly analyzed tissue for these vitamins. For both retinol and α-tocopherol, heart samples were most strongly associated with the liver samples. The results of this study provide baseline retinol and α-tocopherol concentrations in different tissue types from Anna's hummingbirds. These baseline values may be utilized in conservation efforts to avoid hypervitaminosis and hypovitaminosis of rehabilitated and/or captive hummingbirds by providing guidelines for nutritional targets which could be assessed on post-mortem examinations. Post-mortem examination of birds and measurement of vitamin concentrations in tissues may allow for dietary changes that aid captive hummingbirds.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 62%

Concentrations of Retinol and α-Tocopherol in Tissue Samples From Anna's Hummingbirds (Calypte anna)

et al. 2020

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“…( A ) Total mercury (THg) concentrations were quantified in 2 different samples of breast feathers (≥10 feathers analyzed per feather sample) from the same bird, representing 133 individuals from 33 bird taxa. The relative percent difference between pairs of feather samples from the same bird is shown (absolute value of the difference in THg concentrations between paired samples/mean THg concentration of the paired samples; Mikoni et al ; Ackerman et al 2018). Samples are color‐coded by taxonomic order.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury Concentrations Vary Within and Among Individual Bird Feathers: A Critical Evaluation and Guidelines for Feather Use in Mercury Monitoring Programs

Peterson

Ackerman

Toney

et al. 2019

Environ Toxicol Chem

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Feathers are widely used to represent mercury contamination in birds. Yet, few recommendations exist that provide guidance for using bird feathers in mercury monitoring programs. We conducted a literature review and 5 experiments to show that mercury concentrations vary substantially within (vane >100% higher than calamus) and among (>1000%) individual feathers from the same bird. We developed a research tool and guidelines for using bird feathers for mercury studies based on 3 components: 1) variability of feather mercury concentrations within an individual bird (coefficient of variation), 2) desired accuracy of the measured mercury concentration, and 3) feather and bird mass. Our results suggest a general rule that if the goal is to limit analytical and processing costs by using whole feathers in only one sample boat, then to achieve an accuracy within 10% of a bird's overall average feather mercury concentration a bird with a coefficient of variation ≤10% must be <190 g (size of a large shorebird). To achieve an accuracy within 20%, a bird with a coefficient of variation ≤10% must be <920 g (a large duck). When more than one sample boat is needed to fit the required number of feathers to achieve the desired accuracy, the results suggest homogenizing feathers and analyzing an aliquot of ≥20 mg for mercury. The present study suggests increasing the number of feathers typically used per bird to assess mercury concentrations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1164–1187. Published 2019 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.

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“…Diseases, pesticide exposure/toxicosis ( Baek et al, 2020 ; Bishop et al, 2018 ; Filigenzi et al, 2019 ; Godoy et al, 2013 ; Godoy, Tell & Ernest, 2014 ; Graves et al, 2019 ; Mikoni et al, 2017 ), and trauma by other wildlife species, and age all play a role in the overall success of treatment modalities. Those hummingbirds with more extensive injuries due to window collisions or being caught by a cat may be less likely to survive in general due to underlying external and internal trauma, particularly if damage to the skull or beak was sustained ( Wimberger & Downs, 2010 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Retrospective study on admission trends of Californian hummingbirds found in urban habitats (1991–2016)

Pandit

Bandivadekar

Johnson

et al. 2021

PeerJ

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Background Hummingbirds are frequently presented to California wildlife rehabilitation centers for medical care, accounting for approximately 5% of overall admissions. Age, sex, and reason for admission could impact hummingbird survivability, therefore identification of these factors could help maximize rehabilitation efforts. Methods Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to identify specific threats to the survival of 6908 hummingbirds (1645 nestlings and 5263 non-nestlings) consisting of five species (Calypte anna, Calypte costa, Selasphorus rufus, Selasphorus sasin, Archilochus alexandri), found in urban settings, and admitted to California wildlife rehabilitation centers over 26 years. Results In total, 36% of birds survived and were transferred to flight cage facilities for further rehabilitation and/or release. Nestlings were more likely to be transferred and/or released compared to adult hummingbirds. After accounting for age, birds rescued in spring and summer were twice as likely to be released compared to birds rescued in the fall. A high number of nestlings were presented to the rehabilitation centers during spring, which coincides with the nesting season for hummingbirds in California, with the lowest number of nestlings presented in fall. Reasons for presentation to rehabilitation centers included several anthropogenic factors such as window collisions (9.6%) and interactions with domesticated animals (12.9%). Survival odds were lower if a hummingbird was rescued in a “torpor-like state” and were higher if rescued for “nest-related” reasons. Evaluation of treatment regimens administered at wildlife rehabilitation centers identified supportive care, including providing commercial nutrient-rich nectar plus solution, to significantly increase hummingbird survivability. Discussion Our results provide evidence of threats to hummingbirds in urban habitats, based on reasons for rescue and presentation to rehabilitation centers. Reasons for hummingbird admissions to three California wildlife rehabilitation centers were anthropogenic in nature (i.e., being associated with domestic animals, window collisions, and found inside a man-made structure) and constituted 25% of total admissions. There was a clear indication that supportive care, such as feeding a commercial nectar solution, and medical treatment significantly increased the odds of survival for rescued hummingbirds.

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Trace element contamination in feather and tissue samples from Anna’s hummingbirds

Cited by 31 publications

References 51 publications

Concentrations of Retinol and α-Tocopherol in Tissue Samples From Anna's Hummingbirds (Calypte anna)

Concentrations of Retinol and α-Tocopherol in Tissue Samples From Anna's Hummingbirds (Calypte anna)

Mercury Concentrations Vary Within and Among Individual Bird Feathers: A Critical Evaluation and Guidelines for Feather Use in Mercury Monitoring Programs

Retrospective study on admission trends of Californian hummingbirds found in urban habitats (1991–2016)

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