Snapping turtles ( Chelydra serpentina) as bioindicators in Canadian Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes Basin. II. Changes in hatching success and hatchling deformities in relation to persistent organic pollutants

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) 2008-06, Vol.153 (3), p.529-536
• Main Authors: de Solla, S.R., Fernie, K.J., Ashpole, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: abnormal development; Abnormalities, Drug-Induced - physiopathology; Abnormalities, Drug-Induced - veterinary; Amphibia. Reptilia; animal reproduction; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Applied ecology; Areas of Concern; Biological and medical sciences; Canada; Chelydra serpentina; congenital abnormalities; Congenital Abnormalities - veterinary; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Eggs; embryogenesis; Environmental Monitoring - methods; fecundity; Female; Fresh Water; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; hatching; hatchlings; indicator species; Organic Chemicals - analysis; Organic Chemicals - toxicity; ova; PBDEs; PCBs; persistent organic pollutants; Pesticide Residues - analysis; Pesticide Residues - toxicity; Pesticides; pollutants; polybrominated biphenyls; Polybrominated Biphenyls - analysis; Polybrominated Biphenyls - toxicity; polybrominated diphenyl ethers; polychlorinated biphenyls; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - analysis; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - toxicity; Reproduction; Reproduction - physiology; Snapping turtles; temporal variation; Turtles - abnormalities; Turtles - physiology; Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; water pollution; wild animals
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2007.09.017

Hatching success and deformities in snapping turtle hatchlings ( Chelydra serpentina) were evaluated using eggs collected from 14 sites in the Canadian lower Great Lakes, including Areas of Concern (AOC), between 2001 and 2004. Eggs were analyzed for PCBs, PBDEs, and pesticides. Between 2002 and 2004, hatchling deformity rates were highest in two AOCs (18.3–28.3%) compared to the reference sites (5.3–11.3%). Hatching success was poorest in three AOCs (71.3–73.1%) compared to the reference sites (86.0–92.7%). Hatching success and deformity rates were generally poorer in 2001 compared to 2002–2004, irrespective of the study location and could be due to egg handling stress in 2001. Hatching success and deformities were generally worst from the Wheatley Harbour, St. Lawrence River (Cornwall), Detroit River, and Hamilton Harbour AOCs. Associations between contaminant burdens with embryonic development were sufficiently poor that the biological relevance is questionable. Stressors not measured may have contributed to development abnormalities. Hatching success and deformities of snapping turtle eggs varied among Great Lake Areas of Concern, but were not attributable to specific chemical exposure.