Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Trace element levels in pine snake hatchlings: tissue and temporal differences.

J Burger1

  • 1Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08855.

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
|February 1, 1992
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Mechanical Properties of Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty Balloon Catheters: A Bench Study.

Annals of biomedical engineering·2026
Same author

Antiprotons and Elementary Particles over a Solar Cycle: Results from the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer.

Physical review letters·2025
Same author

Solar Modulation of Cosmic Nuclei over a Solar Cycle: Results from the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer.

Physical review letters·2025
Same author

The Influence of Migration Timing and Local Conditions on Reproductive Timing in Arctic-Breeding Birds.

Ecology and evolution·2025
Same author

Development of a patient-specific model of the human coronary system for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty balloon catheter training and testing.

Biomedical engineering online·2024
Same author

Properties of Cosmic Deuterons Measured by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer.

Physical review letters·2024
Same journal

Pesticide Poisoning in Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus from Tamil Nadu: A Continuing Threat to India's National Bird.

Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology·2026
Same journal

Large-Scale Monitoring and Risk Assessment of Metal Contamination from Urban Areas in the Amazon River Basin.

Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology·2026
Same journal

Interplay of Aquatic and Riparian Variables in Two Anthropogenically-Influenced Small Stream Catchments.

Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology·2026
Same journal

Exposure to Estrone Impairs Oogenesis and Spawning in Zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology·2026
Same journal

Exploring Coconut Husk as an Organic Matter Enrichment Alternative in Sediment Toxicity Test.

Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology·2026
Same journal

Bioaccumulation Patterns of Potentially Toxic Elements in Three Grouper Species from the Nizampatnam Coast, India: Multivariate Analysis and Risk Assessment.

Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology·2026
See all related articles

This study examined trace element levels in pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus), finding that skin shedding may excrete toxic metals like lead and mercury. Manganese and selenium levels were higher in snake bodies.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental toxicology
  • Herpetology
  • Ecotoxicology

Background:

  • Reptiles, particularly large snakes, occupy high trophic levels, making them susceptible to bioaccumulated contaminants.
  • Limited research exists on trace element accumulation in reptile tissues.
  • Understanding contaminant burdens in apex predators is crucial for ecosystem health assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify levels of specific trace elements (lead, cadmium, mercury, selenium, chromium, manganese) in pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus).
  • To investigate variations in trace element concentrations based on tissue type (skin vs. whole body), sex, location, and year.
  • To explore the potential role of skin shedding in the excretion of toxic metals.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of lead, cadmium, mercury, selenium, chromium, and manganese levels.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Samples collected from skin and whole body tissue of pine snakes.
  • Data collected between 1985 and 1990 from the New Jersey Pine Barrens.

    • Main Results:

    • Trace element levels varied significantly by year and tissue type, but not by sex or location.
    • Significantly higher concentrations of lead, mercury, and chromium were found in skin compared to whole body tissue.
    • Manganese and selenium levels were significantly higher in whole body tissue than in skin.

    Conclusions:

    • Pine snake skin acts as a significant site for the accumulation and likely excretion of toxic metals like lead, mercury, and chromium.
    • Frequent skin shedding may represent an adaptive mechanism for eliminating heavy metal burdens in snakes.
    • Tissue-specific accumulation patterns highlight the importance of considering different tissues when assessing toxic element exposure in wildlife.