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    Evidence and patterns of maternal transfer of metals and trace elements in Western tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus occidentalis) – a pilot study

    83509.pdf (438.9Kb)
    Access Status
    Open access
    Authors
    Lettoof, Damian C.
    Van Dyke, J.U.
    Gagnon, Marthe Monique
    Date
    2021
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Lettoof, D.C. and Van Dyke, J.U. and Gagnon, M.M. 2021. Evidence and patterns of maternal transfer of metals and trace elements in Western tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus occidentalis) – a pilot study. Austral Ecology. 46 (3): pp. 337-341.
    Source Title
    Austral Ecology
    DOI
    10.1111/aec.12985
    ISSN
    1442-9985
    Faculty
    Faculty of Science and Engineering
    School
    School of Molecular and Life Sciences (MLS)
    Remarks

    This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Lettoof, D.C., Van Dyke, J.U. and Gagnon, M.M. (2021), Evidence and patterns of maternal transfer of metals and trace elements in Western tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus occidentalis) – a pilot study. Austral. Ecology, 46: 337-341 which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12985. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.

    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/83566
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    Urban wildlife are regularly exposed to a variety of anthropogenic contaminants that have the potential to bioaccumulate in body tissues. As a consequence, developing embryos and offspring can be at risk from exposure to maternally accumulated contaminants, yet this has rarely been reported in reptiles. We opportunistically collected one pregnant Western tiger snake (Notechis scutatus occidentalis) from each of three wetlands with differing sediment metal contamination around Perth, and analysed maternal snake livers and three foetuses per litter for a suite of 17 elements representing either alkaline earth metals, transition metals or metalloids. We detected 14 elements, and compared their concentrations in maternal livers to foetus whole bodies to determine preliminary patterns of maternal transfer. Our results suggest antimony, arsenic, manganese, mercury, molybdenum and zinc are maternally transferred in Western tiger snakes. We urge further research to further quantify patterns of contaminant maternal transfer in viviparous snakes and determine their impacts on the development and health of contaminated offspring.

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