Abstract Zinc is essential for animal metabolism, but the variation in Zn concentrations within seabird populations has been seldom explored. We collected Blue-footed booby (Sula nebouxii) eggs during 2012 and 2013 and blood samples from nestlings and adults during 2011 and 2012 in Sinaloa, Mexico, to evaluate differences in Zn concentrations among years, ages, sexes, and breeding stages. Zinc concentrations in eggs ranged between 27.3 and 64.9 ppm (dry weight), whereas Zn levels in the blood of nestlings and adults ranged between 16.1 and 53.1 ppm (dry weight). Egg Zn concentrations did not differ due to developmental stage, although Zn concentrations were significantly higher in 2013 than in 2012. Nestling Zn concentrations differed between years and decreased gradually with age. Chicks had significantly higher Zn concentrations than those of adults. Once nestlings stopped growing, females presented higher Zn concentrations than males. Adult Zn concentrations were higher during the pre-laying period than during the other breeding stages. Our results suggest that growth, sex, and breeding stage affect blood Zn concentrations, which may be due to stage-specific requirements. When compared with those of other seabird species, the Zn concentrations reported here are intermediate, and we did not detect adverse effects on either nestlings or adults.

中文翻译：

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蓝脚鲣鸟（Sula nebouxii）蛋、雏鸟和成虫的锌浓度

摘要 锌对动物代谢至关重要，但很少探索海鸟种群中锌浓度的变化。我们在 2012 年和 2013 年收集了蓝脚鲣鸟 (Sula nebouxii) 的卵，并在 2011 年和 2012 年收集了墨西哥锡那罗亚州的雏鸟和成虫的血液样本，以评估不同年龄、年龄、性别和繁殖阶段之间锌浓度的差异。鸡蛋中的锌浓度范围在 27.3 到 64.9 ppm（干重）之间，而雏鸟和成年人血液中的锌浓度范围在 16.1 到 53.1 ppm（干重）之间。尽管 2013 年的 Zn 浓度显着高于 2012 年，但鸡蛋 Zn 浓度没有因发育阶段而异。雏鸟 Zn 浓度因年份而异，并随着年龄的增长逐渐下降。小鸡的锌浓度显着高于成人。一旦雏鸟停止生长，雌性的锌浓度高于雄性。产蛋前期的成虫锌浓度高于其他繁殖阶段。我们的结果表明，生长、性别和繁殖阶段会影响血锌浓度，这可能是由于阶段特定的要求所致。与其他海鸟物种相比，这里报告的锌浓度处于中等水平，我们没有检测到对雏鸟或成鸟的不利影响。这可能是由于阶段特定的要求。与其他海鸟物种相比，这里报告的锌浓度处于中等水平，我们没有检测到对雏鸟或成鸟的不利影响。这可能是由于阶段特定的要求。与其他海鸟物种相比，这里报告的锌浓度处于中等水平，我们没有检测到对雏鸟或成鸟的不利影响。