Mercury in Wetland Birds of Iran and Iraq: Contrasting Resident Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus, and Migratory Common Teal, Anas crecca, Life Strategies

We document mercury distribution in tissues of two waterfowls; moorhen (Gallinula chloropus; n = 6), and Common Teal (Anas crecca; n = 6) from Shadegan wetlands in Southwestern Iran. Mean value of mercury in moorhen liver was (0.36 Hg mu g g(-1) dry weight), Common Teal had (4.34 Hg mu g g(-1) dry weight) mercury. In all tissues, Common Teals had significantly higher mercury concentrations than moorhens (U test, p a parts per thousand currency sign 0.05). Mercury was 12, 9, 8, and 6 times higher in liver, muscle, kidney, and feather of Common Teals. These birds have comparable diets but Common Teals are migratory and moorhens are residents of Shadegan wetlands.