Trace metal blood concentrations in Scopoli's shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea) during 2007–2014: A systematic analysis of the largest species colony in Greece

Trace elements in stomach oil of Scopoli's shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) from Linosa's colony

“…Copper, zinc, and mercury were the elements that contributed most to the differentiation between day 20 and day 70. The higher levels of essential metals, such as Cu and Zn in the stomach oil samples of day 70 could be related to their important role in feather formation and growth (Stewart et al, 1996;Voulgaris et al, 2019). Experimental work showed that high levels of zinc are needed for feather growth, and zinc deficiency results in a frayed feather condition (Stewart et al, 1996;Voulgaris et al, 2019).…”

“…The higher levels of essential metals, such as Cu and Zn in the stomach oil samples of day 70 could be related to their important role in feather formation and growth (Stewart et al, 1996;Voulgaris et al, 2019). Experimental work showed that high levels of zinc are needed for feather growth, and zinc deficiency results in a frayed feather condition (Stewart et al, 1996;Voulgaris et al, 2019). Contrary to day 70, the stomach oil samples of day 20 are characterized by higher amounts of non-essential elements such as Al, As, Sn and Pb which, besides the need for essential metals such as Cu and Zn during the pre-flight development phase, could be explained by the chick provisioning behavior of Scopoli's shearwaters and the chemical composition of the prey ingested.…”

Noisy neighbours: effects of construction noises on nesting seabirds

“…Seabirds are the most vulnerable group of birds (reviewed in Dias et al 2019) and play vital roles in ecosystem-functioning processes within coastal habitats, such as trophic regulation, nutrient transportation, and community shaping (Graham et al 2018). Owing to the integral role seabirds play within ecosystems, they are often used as monitors of environmental impacts caused by anthropogenic activities, both on land and at sea (Henny et al 1982;Cifuentes et al 2003;Votier et al 2011;Voulgaris 2017;Ryan 2018;Thushari and Senevirathna 2020;Bianchini et al 2022). Although all animals use their senses to navigate through their environment, acquire resources, avoid threats or for social activities (Niven and Laughlin 2008), seabirds' senses are highly adapted to their environment (Boyle and Samson 1985;Tablado and Jenni 2015;Blackwell et al 2016;Blumstein et al 2017;Buxton et al 2017a), making them highly sensitive to environmental sensory pollution (Vander Pol et al 2009;Pi ña-Ortiz et al 2016;Rodríguez et al 2017;Ryan 2018;Mooney et al 2019).…”