Photosensitization in ducklings induced by seeds of Cymopterus watsonii and C. longipes.

For 14 days ducklings were fed seeds of Cymopterus watsonii or C. longipes at 100 mg, 500 mg, or 2 g/kg of body weight and exposed to sunlight. Those fed C. longipes at 500 mg showed transient photosensitization. C. watsonii at 2 g induced mild photosensitization at 8 days, with consequent beak deformity and little apparent effect on the birds' health. C. longipes at 2 g induced acute photosensitization within 3 days, with consequent severe damage to the skin of the head, beak, footwebs, and legs. These birds showed extreme stunting within 8 days of first ingesting the seeds, and several weeks later were still very retarded, with severely deformed beaks and footwebs. One bird in this group died at 22 days.