Journal article
High incidence of deformity in aquatic turtles in the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Environmental pollution (1987), v 142(3), pp 457-465
Aug 2006
PMID: 16360253
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge is subject to pollution from multiple sources. We studied development of snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) and painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) embryos from the refuge from 2000 through 2003. Mean annual deformity rate of pooled painted turtle clutches over four years ranged from 45 to 71%, while that of snapping turtle clutches ranged from 13 to 19%. Lethal deformities were more common than minor or moderate deformities in embryos of both species. Adult painted turtles had a higher deformity rate than adult snapping turtles. Snapping turtles at JHNWR had high levels of PAH contamination in their fat. This suggests that PAHs are involved in the high level of deformities. Other contaminants may also play a role. Although the refuge offers many advantages to resident turtle populations, pollution appears to place a developmental burden on the life history of these turtles.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- High incidence of deformity in aquatic turtles in the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
- Creators
- Barbara Bell - Drexel UniversityJames R Spotila - Drexel UniversityJustin Congdon - Savannah River Ecology Laboratory University of Georgia, Drawer E, Aiken, SC, USA
- Publication Details
- Environmental pollution (1987), v 142(3), pp 457-465
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- [Retired Faculty]
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000238004400009
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-33747875502
- Other Identifier
- 991019169903504721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Environmental Sciences