Foraging behavior, contaminant exposure risk, and the stress response in wild California condors (Gymnogyps californianus)
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Issue Date
2020Author
Glucs, Zeka E.Smith, Donald R.
Tubbs, Christopher W.
Bakker, Victoria J.
Wolstenholme, Rachel
Dudus, Kristina
Burnett, Joseph
Clark, Melissa
Clark, Michael
Finkelstein, Myra E.
Journal title
Environmental ResearchVolume
189Begin page
109905
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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935120308008Abstract
Wild California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) are frequently exposed to lead via lead-based ammunition ingestion, and recent studies indicate significant exposure to organochlorines (e.g. dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)) for condors feeding on beach-cast marine mammals. We investigated the influence of contaminant exposure on condor glucocorticoid response through comparisons between wild and captive populations and identified modifiers of glucocorticoid release….Description
Wild California condors are frequently exposed to lead and organochlorine contaminants while scavenging in terrestrial and marine environments, respectively. In other species, these contaminants are known to effect production of glucocorticoids; the hormones that regulate the stress response. Using a combination of behavioral observations, lead exposure histories and hormone assays, this study examined whether exposure to lead and organochlorine contaminants could potentially affect glucocorticoid production in condors. For wild condors, we identified a number of variables positively associated with increased glucocorticoid production. These included time away from management areas, which is also strongly associated with increased lead exposure. Similarly, the number of years a condor was observed feeding on marine mammal carcasses, a positive indicator of organochlorine exposure, was also associated with increased glucocorticoid production. Together, these findings suggest contaminant exposure could affect the condor stress response and the implications, as well as the challenges of studying glucocorticoids in wildlife species, are discussed.Type
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© 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1016/j.envres.2020.109905
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