2010 Volume 41 Issue 2 Pages 153-169
The feathers of Hodgson's Hawk-eagle Spizaetus nipalensis orientalis, collected from 15 prefectures in Japan, were analyzed for mitochondrial DNA in remaining blood cells and for 11 trace elements (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, As, Mn, V, Se, and Hg). Of 130 analyzed feather samples, 102 were identified as originating from 51 individual birds based on DNA analysis. The trace element concentrations (mean±SE) were as follows: Pb 4.72±0.28 μg/g, Cd 0.20±0.02 μg/g, Cu 8.57±0.54 μg/g, Zn 44.9±2.0 μg/g, Ni 1.05±0.08 μg/g, Cr 0.74±0.06 μg/g, As 0.21±0.02 μg/g, Mn 19.2±2.3 μg/g, V 0.49±0.05 μg/g, Se 0.94±0.03 μg/g, and Hg 5.74±0.47 μg/g. A significant difference was evident in Hg concentrations among the various prefectures samples. Concentrations of trace elements in feather samples differed even for the same individual. Results of Hg analyses showed that the primary feathers are molted earlier than the feathers of other parts of the body. Moreover, analyses of breast feathers of stuffed specimens showed that the Cd concentration of Hodgson's Hawk-eagle increased after the 1980s.
