dc.contributor.advisor	Cobb, George P.
dc.contributor.author	Newberger, Derek
dc.contributor.department	Biology.	en_US
dc.contributor.other	Baylor University.	en_US
dc.contributor.other	Acharya, Abhilasha, 1988-	en_US
dc.contributor.other	Ministry of Atmosphere and Energy	en_US
dc.contributor.other	Conservation Division of Belize	en_US
dc.contributor.other	Cherie Chenot-Rose	en_US
dc.contributor.other	Vince Rose	en_US
dc.contributor.other	Rainwater, Thomas R.	en_US
dc.contributor.other	Frank J. Mazzottie	en_US
dc.contributor.schools	Honors College.	en_US
dc.date.accessioned	2014-06-02T18:38:49Z
dc.date.available	2014-06-02T18:38:49Z
dc.date.copyright	2014
dc.date.issued	2014-06-02
dc.description.abstract	Contamination of aquatic environments is a global concern that poses risks to wildlife and human health. Due to their high trophic status, broad diet, long life span, and occurrence in a variety of aquatic habitats, crocodilians are susceptible to exposure and accumulation of numerous persistent environmental contaminants, including metals. Exposure to these metals may have potential health hazards and have a more pronounced effect on populations already subject to other stressors (e.g., habitat loss, deliberate killing). Previous studies have documented transition metals in caudal (tail) scutes of crocodiles from remote areas of mainland Belize; however, no such data are available for crocodiles living on the country’s offshore islands (cays). In this study, we examined transition metal concentrations in caudal scutes from American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) sampled from various localities on Ambergris Cay, Belize. In addition, a smaller number of C. acutus scutes from Costa Rica were also examined for comparative purposes. Sixteen metals were detected in scutes: Pb, As, Cu, Ag, Be, Cd, Al, Cr, Ni, Co, Mo, Sb, Se, Tl, Sn, and Zn, with Al, Zn, Cu, and Sn exhibiting the highest concentrations. Metal concentrations differed by sex, body size, site, and proximity to putative contaminant sources. Juvenile crocodiles generally contained the highest metal concentrations, and for many metals concentrations decreased with increasing body size.	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/2104/8998
dc.language.iso	en_US	en_US
dc.rights	Baylor University projects are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.	en_US
dc.rights.accessrights	Worldwide access	en_US
dc.subject	American crocodile.	en_US
dc.subject	Belize.	en_US
dc.subject	Accumulation.	en_US
dc.subject	Transition Metals.	en_US
dc.subject	Caudal scutes.	en_US
dc.subject	Central America.	en_US
dc.subject	Costa Rica.	en_US
dc.subject	Crocodylus acutus.	en_US
dc.subject	Non-lethal sampling.	en_US
dc.subject	Pollution.	en_US
dc.subject	Reptile.	en_US
dc.title	Transition Metal Accumulation in Caudal Scutes of American Crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) from Belize	en_US
dc.type	Thesis	en_US

Transition Metal Accumulation in Caudal Scutes of American Crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) from Belize

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