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Cadmium, Copper, Iron, and Zinc Concentrations in Kidneys of Grey Wolves, Canis lupus, from Alaska, Idaho, Montana (USA) and the Northwest Territories (Canada)

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Abstract

Cadmium, copper, iron, and zinc levels were measured in the kidneys of 115 grey wolves (Canis lupus) from Idaho, Montana and Alaska (United States), and from the Northwest Territories (Canada). No significant differences in the levels of iron or copper were observed between locations, but wolf kidneys from more northern locations had significantly higher cadmium levels (Alaska > Northwest Territories > Montana ≈ Idaho), and wolves from Alaska showed significantly higher zinc than other locations. Additionally, female wolves in Alaska had higher iron levels than males, and adult wolves in Montana had higher copper levels than subadults.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the University of Wisconsin-Madison Environmental Chemistry and Technology Program for the use of the ICP-OES and C. Honegger for coordinating the storage of the kidneys at Illinois Wesleyan University. This work was funded in part by an Artistic and Scholarly Development grant from Illinois Wesleyan University awarded to S.R. Hoffmann.

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Author notes

  1. M. W. Atkinson

    Present address: Wildlife Conservation Society, 6075 Quail Meadows Ct, Reno, NV, 89519, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, 500 Central Dr., West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA

    S. R. Hoffmann

  2. Department of Biology, Illinois Wesleyan University, PO. Box 2900, Bloomington, IL, 61702, USA

    S. A. Blunck, K. N. Petersen, E. M. Jones, R. Misek & R. G. Harper

  3. Department of Chemistry, Illinois Wesleyan University, PO. Box 2900, Bloomington, IL, 61702, USA

    J. C. Koval & J. A. Frick

  4. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of Northwest Territories, Box 2668, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2P9, Canada

    H. D. Cluff

  5. Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, 1420 E Sixth St., Helena, MT, 59620, USA

    C. A. Sime & M. W. Atkinson

  6. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 1300 College Rd., Fairbanks, AK, 99701, USA

    M. McNay & K. B. Beckman

  7. Idaho Department of Fish & Game, 16569 S 10th Ave, Caldwell, ID, 83607, USA

    M. Drew

  8. APHIS Wildlife Services, 9134 W. Blackeagle Dr., Boise, ID, 83709, USA

    M. D. Collinge

  9. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 585 Shepard Way, Helena, MT, 59601, USA

    E. E. Bangs

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  1. S. R. Hoffmann
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  2. S. A. Blunck
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  3. K. N. Petersen
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  4. E. M. Jones
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  7. J. A. Frick
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  8. H. D. Cluff
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  9. C. A. Sime
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  10. M. McNay
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  12. M. W. Atkinson
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  13. M. Drew
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  14. M. D. Collinge
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  16. R. G. Harper
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. G. Harper.

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Hoffmann, S.R., Blunck, S.A., Petersen, K.N. et al. Cadmium, Copper, Iron, and Zinc Concentrations in Kidneys of Grey Wolves, Canis lupus, from Alaska, Idaho, Montana (USA) and the Northwest Territories (Canada). Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 85, 481–485 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-010-0126-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-010-0126-6

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