Methylmercury Effects on Growth Rates of

Loggerhead Shrike Nestlings

Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake

Meg WolfDr. Christine Stracey

Westminster College, Salt Lake City

Mercury Concentrations High Great Salt Lake Concentrations

Photo 1

Bio magnification

Photo 2

Methyl mercury Bio magnification Aquatic to Terrestrial Great Salt Lake onto Antelope Island

Photo 3,4,5

Logger Head Shrikes Terrestrial Song Bird

Other studies • Parental behavior• feeding habits

Loggerhead ShrikeHow does Methylmercury affect the growth rate of Loggerhead Shrike Nestlings?

Methods M-W-F Field testing days Nest searching Weight Measurements

Methods Continued Testing for Mercury Blood samples

Lab Analysis for Hg in ppm

Photos6/27/14

6/30/14

Day 1

Day 3

Day 6

Day 8

Day 12

Average growth rate

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 140

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Age Days

Mas

s (g

ram

s)

Growth rate Vs. Mercury 2013

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 1405

10152025303540

High>2.0 Medium>0.08 Low>0.0

HLMGrand Total

Age (Days)

Mas

s (g

)

Growth rate Vs. Mercury 2014

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 1605

10152025303540

High>.20 Medium>.08 Low>.0

HLM(blank)Grand Total

Age (days)

Mas

s g

ResultsThere is insufficient evidence to support that high Methyl Mercury concentrations in Loggerhead Shrikes affects growth rates.

Discussion Close to endangerment More environmental pressures Species decline Behavioral changes

AcknowledgmentsDr. Christine StraceyEnvironemntal Studies Department Field Research Crew:Viri, Marisol, Karina, Riley, Amber, Courtney, Josh The Great Salt Lake InsituteAntelope Island State Park

Westminster College

SourcesPhoto: 1. Mercury in the air, water and biota at the Great Salt Lake (Utah, USA) Christianna Peterson, Mae Gustin⁎Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, 2. http://deeakdev.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/science-biomag.jpg3. Loggerhead Shrike - Reche Canyon, CA © Tom Benson4. utahphotojournalism.com5. lakesaltknit.blogspot.com