title: Concentrations of 137Cs in lynx (Lynx lynx) in relation to prey choice.
abstract: Concentrations of (137)Cs were determined in 747 lynxes killed in Norway during the period 1986-2001. Highly variable (137)Cs concentrations and aggregated transfer coefficient values were observed, probably caused by variable (137)Cs concentrations in prey and the lynx's extensive home ranges and roaming distances. Adult lynxes had higher (137)Cs concentrations than sub-adults, and lynxes killed in regions with extensive reindeer grazing areas were more contaminated than others. A model with (137)Cs deposition density, the year lynxes were killed, age, and extent of reindeer grazing area accounted for 50% of the variability in observed (137)Cs concentrations. The analyses were equivocal regarding the influence of stomach content on (137)Cs concentrations in lynx muscle, i.e., on the lynx's specialization in prey species. Gender was not significant. Information on caesium retention in lynx and better estimates of deposition densities in lynxes' home ranges are important for further elucidation of factors influencing (137)Cs contamination in lynxes.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, PO Box 55, NO-1332 Østerås, Norway. lavrans.skuterud@nrpa.no
authors.forename: Lavrans
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Skuterud
authors.forename: Eldar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gaare
authors.forename: Tor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kvam
authors.forename: Knut
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hove
authors.forename: Eiliv
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Steinnes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D047852:Chernobyl Nuclear Accident; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D020387:Food Chain; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents; D006207:Half-Life; D016014:Linear Models; D046008:Lynx / Q000378:metabolism*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009132:Muscles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D009664:Norway; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release; D012053:Reindeer; D013848:Thigh
chemical_list: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes