PARENT SESSION

PH25 Wildlife Ecotoxicology II
Exhibit Hall
8:00 AM - Thursday

(PH287) Lead concentrations in white-winged doves collected in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, USA.

Fredricks, T¹, Fedynich, A¹, Benn, S², ¹ Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX, USA² Texas Parks and Wildlife, Edinburg, TX, USA

ABSTRACT- Liver lead levels were examined in white-winged doves (Zenaida asiatica asiatica) (WWDs) collected on two wildlife management areas in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas. The population of WWDs in the LRGV has declined over the past 50-70 years, while expanding its size and range outside the LRGV. Possible exposure of WWDs to environmentally accessible lead is an important management concern and a possible limiting factor for the population. During the hunting season in 2002 and 2003 white-winged doves were collected from hunters at Anacua and Resaca de la Palma wildlife management areas. In 2003, non-toxic steel shot was used to collect the doves to rule out possible collection induced contamination of the doves. In the field, sex and age of each dove was determined and liver removed. Liver tissue was digested in concentrated nitric acid and 30% hydrogen peroxide was used to complete the digestion. Atomic absorption spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy were utilized for lead analysis at The Institute of Environmental and Human Heath at Texas Tech University, Lubbock. Lead concentrations differed significantly (P>0.0001) between years with 2003 (n=137) having higher levels than 2002 (n=81), but were not different (P>0.05) among location, age, sex and including all two-way interactions of the main effects. In 2002, median liver lead concentrations (dry weight) at Anacua and Resaca de la Palma were 0.120 g/g (range ND-2.084) and 0.003 g/g (range ND-3.823), respectively. In 2003, median liver lead concentrations (dry weight) at Anacua and Resaca de la Palma were 0.972 g/g (range ND-1.577) and 1.042 g/g (range ND-11.012), respectively. These results indicate that WWDs are being exposed to lead, but further research is needed to determine the extent and source of lead exposure to WWDs in the LRGV of Texas.

Key words: lead exposure, white-winged dove