Abstract
In Venezuela, bird species of different natural environments have been used in heavy metals (HP) tests. Nevertheless, studies in captive birds are unexisting. Cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and chromiun (Cr) levels were examined in liver, pectoral muscle and feathers of captive Budgerigars Melopsittacus undulatus. Concentrations of Cd, Zn and Cu showed highly signifi cant differences among analyzed tissues, following the patterns: liver> feathers> muscle for Cd; feathers> liver> muscle for Zn; and feathers> muscle> liver for Cu. The Cr showed the follow pattern: muscle> feathers> liver, but there were no difference . The Pb was only detected in feathers. Regression coefi cient did not showed differences between HP levels and body weights. Obtained HP concentrations were within permissible limits accepted by standard environmental controls, therefore they are not alarming.
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Recommended Citation
Vargas-Amundaray, Patricia; Muñoz-Gil, Jorge; Marín-Espinoza, Gedio; Brito-Maestre, Adrián; and Zabala-Marcano, Roseline
(2019)
"Niveles de cinco metales pesados en diferentes tejidos del Periquito Australiano Melopsittacus undulatus, un ave exótica de cautiverio en Venezuela / Levels of Five Heavy Metals in Different Tissues of the Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus, an Exotic and Captivity Bird of Venezuela,"
Revista Venezolana de Ornitología: Vol. 9
:
Iss.
1
, Article 8.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/rvo/vol9/iss1/8