Variation of Total Mercury Concentrations in Different Tissues of Three Neotropical Caimans: Implications for Minimally Invasive Biomonitoring

Abstract

Ethics approval: Permission to capture individuals, draw blood and sample claws and scutes was granted by the French authorities (Direction Régionale des Territoires et de la Mer) after evaluation by the CSRPN, the regional scientific committee (

Relationships between stable isotopes and trace element concentrations in the crocodilian community of French Guiana

“…Lastly, the interspecific variability of the Se:Hg molar ratio deserves future study to understand the potential impact regarding protective effect against Hg and the role play by the diet. a Original data reported in wet weight, transformed in dry weight using a factor of 3.6 according to Lemaire et al, (2021a). Lemaire et al : Relationships between stable isotopes and trace element concentrations in the crocodilian community of French Guiana Figure 1.…”

“…Differences in 𝛿 15 N values between species can result from the interspecific competition which leads to a different trophic ecology of the four caiman species (Magnusson et al, 1987;Lemaire et al : Relationships between stable isotopes and trace element concentrations in the crocodilian community of French Guiana Moldowan et al, 2016;Villamarín et al, 2017) (Fig. 5).…”

“…High trophic-level predators such as fish, birds, reptiles or mammals have successfully been used as bioindicator organisms to monitor trace element contamination in different habitats by using a variety of tissues that integrate contaminants over different periods of time, depending on their physiological role (Silva et al, 2018;Kalisińska, 2019;Albuquerque et al, 2021;Lemaire et al, 2021a). More recently, the use of non-lethal sampling methods (e.g., sampling of blood, hair, scales, claws and feathers) has been emphasised as a welcome effort to decrease potential impacts of sampling on wildlife (Carravieri et al, 2014;Guillot et al, Lemaire et al : Relationships between stable isotopes and trace element concentrations in the crocodilian community of French Guiana 2018; Treu et al, 2018;Lettoof et al, 2021).…”