Pace, R. M., Hohman, W. L., and Custer, T. W., 1999, Lead effects on body
composition and organ size of wintering canvasbacks Aythya valisineria in Louisiana:
Wildlife Biology, v. 5, no. 1, p. 3-10.

Abstract

We tested whether lead exposure, as evidenced by liver lead concentration, affected
body composition and organ sizes of canvasback ducks Aythya valisineria in
Louisiana during winter 1987-88. After adjusting for body size, sex, age, and site and
month of collection, we found decreases in ingesta-free body mass; breast, leg, and
body protein; body fat; intestine length; and liver and gizzard masses associated with
increased liver lead concentrations. There were no apparent associations between liver
lead concentrations and testes and body ash masses, or caecal length. We used the
concentration of 26.7 ppm of liver lead on a dry matter (dm) basis as indicative of
lead toxicosis. We predicted that a canvasback with 26.7 ppm dm liver lead would
weigh 209 g less and have 105 g less fat than an unexposed individual. Whereas many
lead exposed canvasbacks may survive through winter, their subsequent survival,
ability to reproduce and perform other annual cycle events may be compromised. We
recommend management to make lead unavailable to waterfowl at major
concentration areas and periodic monitoring of lead contamination in waterfowl
populations.

Keywords

Anatidae, Aythya valisineria, condition, ducks, lead toxicosis, survival, ducks, shot,
mass, dynamics, mallards, blood