2.3. Statistical analysis
Comparison of the metal concentrations between
eggshell and embryos/yolk was assessed using t-test
comparisons of means. Differences between metal
concentrations at the different ages were tested using
the non-parametric Kruskall–Wallis test. Regressions
between the concentrations measured in the cuttlefish
digestive gland and mantle length were tested using
regression procedures for linear and non-linear fitted
models. Accumulation of metals in the cuttlefish was
described by linear and logarithmic fitted models, with
the exception of Ag in the digestive gland, which was
described by a two-order linear component model.
Statistical analyses were performed using XLStat Pro
7.0. The level of significance was always set at
α=0.05.