Supporting dataset and methods for egg sizes, eggshell thicknesses and metal concentrations measured in the shells and contents of eggs of Capercaillies Tetrao urogallus

Grzegorz Orłowski,Dorota Merta,Przemysław Pokorny,Ewa Łukaszewicz,Wojciech Dobicki,Janusz Kobielski,Artur Kowalczyk,Zenon Rzońca,Andrzej Krzywiński

doi:10.1016/j.dib.2019.103903

Abstract

The dataset presented in this data paper supports “Eggshell resorption, and embryonic mobilization and accumulation of calcium and metals in eggs of wild and captive Capercaillies Tetrao urogallus” (Orłowski et al., 2019) [1]. Here we present the supplementary data on the following: (1) egg sizes, regional eggshell thicknesses (at the equator, sharp pole and blunt pole) as well as the concentrations of two major micronutrients (Ca and Mg) and eight trace elements (Cr, Cu, Mn, Fe, Co, Cd, Pb and Zn), measured in the shells and contents of eggs of captive-bred and wild Capercaillies. (2) How the proportions of elements sequestered into eggshells become depleted during embryogenesis expressed as the %change of concentrations of various elements measured in the shells and contents of eggs at different stages of embryonic advancement (early dead embryos, late dead embryos and hatched eggs). (3) The relationships between the age of dead embryos and three regional eggshell thicknesses and concentrations of different elements measured in the shells and contents of these eggs.

Highlights

(3) The relationships between the age of dead embryos and three regional eggshell thicknesses and concentrations of different elements measured in the shells and contents of these eggs
(2) How the proportions of elements sequestered into eggshells become depleted during embryogenesis expressed as the %change of concentrations of various elements measured in the shells and contents of eggs at different stages of embryonic advancement (Table 3). (3) The relationships between the age of dead embryos and three regional
Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were used to test the relationship between the age of dead embryos, and three regional eggshell thicknesses and concentrations of different elements measured in the shells and contents of both groups of eggs

Summary

Data accessibility Related research article

Biological Sciences, Biogeochemistry, Developmental Biology Biogeochemistry of avian eggs; Eggshell traits; Eggshell elements. The dataset provides detailed information on: (1) egg sizes, regional eggshell thicknesses and the levels of two major micronutrients (Ca and Mg) and eight trace elements (Cr, Cu, Mn, Fe, Co, Cd, Pb and Zn), measured in the shells and contents of eggs of captive-bred and wild Capercaillies (Tables 1e2). The eggs of captive-bred birds (laid in spring 2014) included intact unhatched eggs (n 1⁄4 103) and post-hatched eggshells (n 1⁄4 50), which preceded incubation by Capercaillie females, domestic hens or in artificial incubators These eggs included 103 intact ones from females kept at the Wisła breeding centre (the majority of eggs were obtained from 39 different hens). The eggs were collected over the entire laying season, so that no one part of the season was favoured over any other; they represent different positions in the laying sequences of the various hens

Egg processing and ageing of embryos

Chemical analysis of egg shells and contents

Findings

Statistical analyses