Abstract
Freshly hatched house wren (Troglodytes aedon) nestlings were acutely exposed to γ-radiation doses of 0.9, 2.6, 4.3, and 6.0 Gy from an external source to investigate radiosensitivity in a natural setting. Observed growth statistics and parameters from the Richards model were used for growth analysis. Radiation exposure did not cause any mortality over the 15-day nestling period, but it had a depressing effect on growth in body mass and primary-feather and foot lengths. At 6.0 Gy this involved a delay in development. Effects increased in severity from 0.9 to 6.0 Gy and appeared to be linear. The 6.0-Gy nestlings were noticeably stunted. Radiation exposure did not affect the basic growth pattern. House wren nestlings responded similarly to radiation exposure as tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) and eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) nestlings. There was no indication that natural variability of observed growth statistics or model parameters is correlated positively with sensitivity to radiation stress.
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