Developmental impairment in Eurasian dipper nestlings exposed to urban stream pollutants

Morrissey, Christy A.; Stanton, David W.G.; Tyler, Charles R.; Pereira, M. Gloria ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3740-0019; Newton, Jason; Durance, Isabella; Ormerod, Steve J.. 2014 Developmental impairment in Eurasian dipper nestlings exposed to urban stream pollutants. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 33 (6). 1315-1323. 10.1002/etc.2555

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Abstract/Summary

Avian studies of endocrine disruption traditionally have focused on reproductive impairment, given that many environmental contaminants affect sex steroid hormones. There is also increasing interest in altered thyroid function, and associated early development, particularly in altricial species with extended developmental windows. Both types of effect are relevant under the complex pollutant conditions created in streams draining urban areas, but case studies are scarce. Therefore, the authors measured breeding performance, as well as nestling growth, condition, and plasma thyroid hormones, in 87 Eurasian dipper (Cinclus cinclus) nests on 36 urban and rural streams in south and mid-Wales (UK); invertebrate prey data were also collected. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether urban stream pollution or food scarcity might affect reproduction or development in this specialized aquatic songbird. Clutch sizes and egg fertility were similar on rural and urban streams, whereas nest success was actually higher at urban sites and food abundance was not significantly reduced. However, subtle but important differences were apparent. Urban nestlings were significantly lighter than rural nestlings for their body size (condition index), and brood sex ratios were increasingly male biased with increasing urbanization. The nestling thyroid hormone profile closely reflected urban land use, whereas depressed triiodothyronine (T3) hormones and poorer body condition were associated with higher exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) at urbanized sites. These data suggest that PCBs, PBDEs, and/or accompanying contaminants in urban streams could be affecting dipper nestling development, with potential consequences for the birds' fitness.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1002/etc.2555
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biogeochemistry
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Shore
ISSN:	0730-7268
Additional Keywords:	body condition, developmental defects, endocrine disruption, sex ratios, thyroid hormones
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Chemistry
Date made live:	02 May 2014 15:45 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/507125

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