Literaturdatenbank
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Bishop, B. E., Savitzky, B. A., & Abdel-Fattah, T. , Ulcerative shell disease and its possible relationship to the bioaccumulation of lead in aquatic turtles in an urban lake. Unpublished paper presented at 2007 Virginia/ West Virginia Water Research Symposium.
Added by: Admin (13 Dec 2009 17:36:33 UTC) |
| Resource type: Conference Paper BibTeX citation key: Bishop2007 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Emydidae, Habitat = habitat, Nordamerika = North America, Pseudemys, Pseudemys rubriventris, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Toxikologie = toxicology, Trachemys, Trachemys scripta Creators: Abdel-Fattah, Bishop, Savitzky Collection: 2007 Virginia/ West Virginia Water Research Symposium |
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| Abstract |
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Turtles are a visible component of the biodiversity urban lakes which receive large quantities of terrestrial runoff that includes heavy metals. Turtles have been determined to accumulate heavy metals, but little is known regarding the effects on the health of turtles. Bioaccumulation of lead has been implicated in the suppression of the immune system and impairment of calcium uptake and skeletal calcification in other vertebrates. This study surveys the occurrence and severity of Ulcerative Shell Disease (USD) of aquatic turtles in an urban lake and investigates whether bioaccumulation of lead (Pb) is related to its occurrence. USD is a chronic condition of the bone and scutes of turtles, affecting both the carapace and plastron. Trachemys scripta (Sliders) and Pseudemys rubriventris (Cooters) were captured over a two-year period. Incidence and severity of USD were calculated, and small sections of shell were removed for lead analysis. The occurrence of USD was high in both species and higher in females than males. Cooters had significantly higher lead concentrations than Sliders. Levels were below reported no observable effects level (NOEL) for Sliders, yet above levels shown to interrupt some physiological activities in other species. Body size and levels of Pb were not related in either species. Linear regression revealed no positive relationships between lead concentration and USD severity for either species. We conclude that there is not a direct relationship between lead concentrations and USD in these turtles.
Added by: Admin |