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Brown TM, Wilhelm SI, Mastromonaco GF, Burness G. A path forward in the investigation of seabird strandings attributed to light attraction. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Marie Brown
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program Trent University Peterborough Ontario Canada
| | - Sabina I. Wilhelm
- Environment and Climate Change Canada Mount Pearl Newfoundland Canada
| | | | - Gary Burness
- Department of Biology Trent University Peterborough Ontario Canada
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De Pascalis F, De Felice B, Parolini M, Pisu D, Pala D, Antonioli D, Perin E, Gianotti V, Ilahiane L, Masoero G, Serra L, Rubolini D, Cecere JG. The hidden cost of following currents: Microplastic ingestion in a planktivorous seabird. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 182:114030. [PMID: 35964431 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are increasingly pervasive pollutants, particularly abundant in the neuston where they drift with currents. We assessed dietary microplastic ingestion in the Mediterranean storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus melitensis), a small pelagic seabird that forages on plankton and inhabit the Mediterranean sea, one of the most polluted seas worldwide. We collected spontaneous regurgitates from 30 chick-rearing individuals and used GPS tracking data from 7 additional individuals to locate foraging areas. Birds foraged in pelagic areas characterized by water stirring and mixing, and regurgitates from 14 individuals (i.e. 45 %) contained microplastics. Fibers were the dominant shape (56 %), with polyester, polyethylene and nylon being the most frequent polymers. Our findings highlight the potential sensitivity of this species of conservation interest to plastic pollution and suggest that storm petrel regurgitates can be a valuable matrix to investigate microplastic ingestion in planktonic foragers, providing a characterization of spatio-temporal patterns of microplastic exposure in pelagic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico De Pascalis
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, University of Milan, Milano (MI), Italy; Area BIO-AVM, Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
| | - Beatrice De Felice
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, University of Milan, Milano (MI), Italy
| | - Marco Parolini
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, University of Milan, Milano (MI), Italy
| | - Danilo Pisu
- Regione Pireddu Nieddu snc, Stintino (SS), Italy
| | - David Pala
- Azienda Speciale Parco di Porto Conte, Alghero (SS), Italy
| | - Diego Antonioli
- Department of Science and Technological Innovation, University of Eastern Piedmont, Alessandria (AL), Italy
| | - Elena Perin
- Department of Science and Technological Innovation, University of Eastern Piedmont, Alessandria (AL), Italy
| | - Valentina Gianotti
- Department of Science and Technological Innovation, University of Eastern Piedmont, Alessandria (AL), Italy
| | - Luca Ilahiane
- Department of Science and Technological Innovation, University of Eastern Piedmont, Alessandria (AL), Italy
| | - Giulia Masoero
- Section of Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Lorenzo Serra
- Area BIO-AVM, Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Diego Rubolini
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, University of Milan, Milano (MI), Italy; Istituto di Ricerca sulle Acque, IRSA-CNR, Brugherio (MB), Italy.
| | - Jacopo G Cecere
- Area BIO-AVM, Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy
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Comparing scavenging in marine and terrestrial ecosystems: a case study with fish and gull carcasses in a small Mediterranean island. Basic Appl Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2022.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Aguado-Giménez F, Eguía-Martínez S, Cerezo-Valverde J, García-García B. Spatio-temporal variability of ichthyophagous bird assemblage around western Mediterranean open-sea cage fish farms. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 140:126-134. [PMID: 29910028 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Ichthyophagous birds aggregate at cage fish farms attracted by caged and associated wild fish. Spatio-temporal variability of such birds was studied for a year through seasonal visual counts at eight farms in the western Mediterranean. Correlation with farm and location descriptors was assessed. Considerable spatio-temporal variability in fish-eating bird density and assemblage structure was observed among farms and seasons. Bird density increased from autumn to winter, with the great cormorant being the most abundant species, also accounting largely for differences among farms. Grey heron and little egret were also numerous at certain farms during the coldest seasons. Cattle egret was only observed at one farm. No shags were observed during winter. During spring and summer, bird density decreased markedly and only shags and little egrets were observed at only a few farms. Season and distance from farms to bird breeding/wintering grounds helped to explain some of the spatio-temporal variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Aguado-Giménez
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Alimentario, Estación de Acuicultura Marina, Puerto de San Pedro del Pinatar, 30740, Murcia, Spain.
| | | | - Jesús Cerezo-Valverde
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Alimentario, Estación de Acuicultura Marina, Puerto de San Pedro del Pinatar, 30740, Murcia, Spain
| | - Benjamín García-García
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Alimentario, Estación de Acuicultura Marina, Puerto de San Pedro del Pinatar, 30740, Murcia, Spain
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