Bjedov Dora, Sudarić Bogojević Mirta, Bernal-Alviz Jorge, Klobučar Goran, Bourdineaud Jean-Paul, Aarif K M, Mikuška Alma
Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia.
Independent Researcher, St. 4A# 3S-81, Jamundí 764007, Colombia.
J Xenobiot. 2025 Jul 9;15(4):117. doi: 10.3390/jox15040117.
Mercury (Hg) pollution is a widespread ecological threat with sublethal effects on wildlife. Birds, due to their ecological diversity and sensitivity, serve as effective models for evaluating the behavioural impacts of Hg exposure. This review applies Tinbergen's four questions: causation, ontogeny, function, and evolution, as an integrative framework. Mechanistically, Hg disrupts neuroendocrine pathways, gene expression, immune function, and hormone regulation, leading to behavioural changes such as reduced foraging, altered parental care, and impaired predator avoidance. Early-life exposure affects neural development, learning, and social behaviour into adulthood. Functionally, these changes reduce fitness by compromising reproduction and survival. Phylogenetic comparisons show interspecific variability, with piscivorous and insectivorous birds exhibiting high Hg burdens and sensitivity, linked to ecological roles and exposure. Behavioural responses often precede physiological or demographic effects, highlighting their value as early indicators. Both field and laboratory studies show that even low Hg concentrations can alter behaviour, though outcomes vary by species, life stage, and exposure route. Integrating behavioural endpoints into ecotoxicological risk assessments is essential to improve conservation strategies and understanding of sublethal pollutant effects on wildlife.
汞（Hg）污染是一种广泛存在的生态威胁，对野生动物具有亚致死效应。鸟类因其生态多样性和敏感性，成为评估汞暴露行为影响的有效模型。本综述应用廷贝亨的四个问题：因果关系、个体发育、功能和进化，作为一个综合框架。从机制上讲，汞会破坏神经内分泌途径、基因表达、免疫功能和激素调节，导致行为变化，如觅食减少、亲代抚育改变和捕食者回避能力受损。生命早期暴露会影响成年后的神经发育、学习和社会行为。在功能上，这些变化通过损害繁殖和生存能力来降低适应性。系统发育比较显示种间变异性，食鱼和食虫鸟类表现出高汞负荷和敏感性，这与生态角色和暴露有关。行为反应往往先于生理或种群统计学效应，凸显了它们作为早期指标的价值。野外和实验室研究均表明，即使是低汞浓度也会改变行为，不过结果因物种、生命阶段和暴露途径而异。将行为终点纳入生态毒理学风险评估对于改进保护策略以及理解亚致死污染物对野生动物的影响至关重要。
