Fecal Methylmercury Correlates With Gut Microbiota Taxa in Pacific Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)

• Published in: Frontiers in Microbiology
• Main Authors: Sarah E. Rothenberg, Danielle N. Sweitzer, Bryna R. Rackerby, Claire E. Couch, Lesley A. Cohen, Heather M. Broughton, Sheanna M. Steingass, Brianna R. Beechler
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2021
• Subjects: marine mammal; metabolism; Arctic; pinniped; microbiome; colon; Microbiology; QR1-502; Pacific; Lawrence Island; Odobenus rosmarus; St Lawrence Island; Alaska; walrus*
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.648685; https://doaj.org/article/964356daa34a4fabb8e00df4c1f9a27a

ObjectivesMethylmercury metabolism was investigated in Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) from St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, United States.MethodsTotal mercury and methylmercury concentrations were measured in fecal samples and paired colon samples (n = 16 walruses). Gut microbiota compos...