Effect of mercury on wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) populations: cranial morphology and allometry – preliminary results
2016
Autori:
Urošević, AleksandarCvijanović, Milena
Vukov, Tanja
Janković, Saša
Nikolić, Dragica
Ajduković, Maja
Anđelković, Marko
Tomašević Kolarov, Nataša
Tip dokumenta:
Konferencijski prilog (Objavljena verzija)
,
© 2016 by the Herpetological Society of Cyprus
Metapodaci
Prikaz svih podataka o dokumentuApstrakt:
We estimated the effects of chronic mercury exposure on cranium morphology and post-natal
development in the Common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis (Laurenti, 1768). We collected 45
specimens from the Šuplja stena mercury mine tailings and abandoned mine area. As a control
group, we collected 39 specimens from the nearby rock quarry in Ripanj (less than 2 km away), in
order to eliminate the possible effects of geographical variation. Both sampling localities are situated
on the fringe of Avala mountain near Belgrade, Serbia. Patterns of shape of dorsal and ventral
cranium were analysed using geometric morphometrics. Analysis of the sample liver tissues showed
that mercury was present in both groups, but the concentration of mercury was significantly greater
in population from the Šuplja stena mines. However, apparently high levels of mercury in the
population from Šuplja stena had very little to no effect on cranial morphology. Juveniles and
females from both localities had practically the same size and shape of the dorsal and ventral
cranium. Only the ventral cranium shape of males showed slight differences between the localities,
reflected in slightly longer maxillae and wider crania in males from Šuplja Stena. Sexual dimorphism
pattern also remained constant in both localities. Although both populations were morphologically
uniform, lizards from the Šulja stena mine had higher level of overall shape variance for both dorsal
and ventral cranium. Both static and ontogenetic allometry were significant in both groups, and
allometric trajectories did not differ between the localities. Cranial morphology and patterns of
allometry are apparently well conserved in studied lizard populations, and remain stable regardless
of the level of exposure to pollution. Further analyses should focus on subtler patterns of shape
variation, including fluctuating asymmetry, and include populations exposed to various pollutants
(lead, pesticides, etc.).
U:
- Book of Abstracts: 9th Symposium on the Lacertids of the Mediterranean Basin and 1st Symposium on Mediterranean Lizards; 2016 Jun 20-23; Limassol, Cyprus. Nicosia: Herpetological Society of Cyprus; 2016. p. 39.