Correlation between Trace Element Content of Eggshell and Breeding Characteristics of Three Bird Species in Northeast China

The contents of trace elements in the eggshells of Emberiza jankowskii, Parus major and Passer montanus were examined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS), and the correlations between these trace elements of eggshell and breeding characteristics of the three bird species were studied. In the meantime, the optimum parameters of FAAS were studied, and no cross effect were observed among the five trace elements. The recovery rates of standard addition of Mn, Mg, Cu, Fe and Zn were 95%-104% indicating a fairly good accuracy of the FAAS method. It was showed that the Zn and Mn contents in the eggshell of E. jankowskii were higher than those of P. major and P. montanus. However, the Cu, Fe and Mg contents in the eggshell of E. jankowskii were lower than those of P. major and P. montanus. E. jankowskii had the lowest breeding success rate and survive rate, P. montanus had the highest breeding success rate and survive rate, and P. major had the medial rates. Analysis of variance showed that there were significant difference in Mn, Mg, Cu, Fe and Zn contents of eggshell, the breeding success rate and survive rate among E. jankowskii, P. major and P. montanus. Correlation analysis showed that there was obviously a negative correlation between Mn and Zn contents of eggshells and the breeding success rate, the breeding survival rate of E. jankowskii, P. major and P. montanus, possibly suggesting some kind of connection between the breeding success rate, breeding survive rate and the Zn and Mn contents of eggshell of E. jankowskii, P. major and P. montanus. The considerably reduced breeding success rate of E. jankowskii could be due to the low level of Mg, Cu and Fe in its eggshell, causing suboptimal nutrition during embryonic development.