title: Essential, trace and toxic element concentrations in the liver of the world's largest bony fish, the ocean sunfish (Mola mola).
abstract: No studies document essential (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium), trace (barium, boron, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, zinc) or toxic element (antimony, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, thallium) concentrations in any members of the family Molidae, including the world's largest bony fish, the ocean sunfish (Mola mola). Here, we analyzed 21 elements in the liver of one M. mola. These values were compared to liver concentrations in multiple species with spatial and dietary overlap. Concentrations of calcium (3339 ppm wet weight) and iron (2311 ppm wet weight) were extremely elevated in comparison to a number of other fish species, indicating that calcium and/or iron toxicity may have occurred in this animal. Concentrations of toxic elements were generally low, with the exception of cadmium (3.5 ppm). This study represents the first report of essential, trace and toxic elements in this species.
authors.affiliation: Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236-1004, United States. Electronic address: jperrault@mote.org.
authors.forename: Justin R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Perrault
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, Michigan State University, 4125 Beaumont Road, Lansing, MI 48910-8104, United States.
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Buchweitz
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, Michigan State University, 4125 Beaumont Road, Lansing, MI 48910-8104, United States.
authors.forename: Andreas F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Lehner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005399:Fishes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008670:Metals / Q000378:metabolism*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D014131:Trace Elements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Essential elements; Liver; Mola mola; Ocean sunfish; Toxic elements; Trace elements