Spontaneous micronuclei in the black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus L.) embryos in relation to parameters determining nestling survival

• Published in: Acta Zoologica Lituanica
• Main Authors: Stončius, Darius, Sinkevičius, Stanislovas
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Lithuanian; English
• Published: 2003
• Subjects: black-headed gull; embryo; micronucleus test; nestling survival; Black-headed Gull; Larus ridibundus
• Online Access: http://lmavb.lvb.lt/LMAVB:ELABAPDB5268626&prefLang=en_US

The frequencies of spontaneous micronucleated erythrocytes were measured in the embryos of two distinct breeding populations of the Black-headed Gull. In total, 117 blood samples from the same number of Black-headed Gull embryos from Krivėnai colony and 97 blood samples from Kretuonas colony were examined. The influence of egg weight and volume, nest location within the colony, date of commencement of breeding and egg laying sequence in clutch on the levels of cytogenetic damage was evaluated. No statistically significant relationships have been established between spontaneous cytogenetic damage and qualitative parameters determining nestling survival till fledging and recruitment to the breeding population.