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Xin J, Cao H, Bao X, Hu C. Does nest occupancy by birds influence the microbial composition? Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1232208. [PMID: 38053547 PMCID: PMC10694247 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1232208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nest microbiota plays a vital role in the breeding and development of birds, which not only provides protection to bird hosts but also negatively affects the host. At present, it is unclear whether the composition of the microbes in the nests is affected by nesting. For this reason, we hung artificial nest boxes to simulate the natural nesting environment and combined 16S rRNA and ITS high-throughput sequencing technology to further study the differences in microbial composition and richness between used nests and control nests of Japanese tits (Parus minor). The study found that the bacteria in used nests and control nests showed significant differences at the phylum level (p < 0.05). It is also worth noting that the predominant bacteria in used nests were Proteobacteria (51.37%), Actinobacteria (29.72%), Bacteroidetes (6.59%), and Firmicutes (3.82%), while the predominant bacteria in control nests were Proteobacteria (93.70%), Bacteroidetes (2.33%), and Acidobacteria (2.06%). Both used nests and control nests showed similar fungi at the phylum level, which consisted mainly of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, although significant differences were found in their relative abundance between both groups. The results of alpha diversity analysis showed significant differences in bacteria between the two groups and not in fungi. However, the beta diversity analysis showed significant differences between both bacteria and fungi. In summary, our results showed that the used nests had a higher abundance of beneficial microbiota and a lower presence of pathogenic microbiota. Therefore, we speculate that birds will change the characteristics of the nest microbial composition in the process of nest breeding to ensure their smooth reproductive development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Xin
- College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Heqin Cao
- Forestry College, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Research Center for Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Xiaoyang Bao
- College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Canshi Hu
- College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Research Center for Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
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2
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Fouché T, Claassens S, Maboeta MS. Ecotoxicological Effects of Aflatoxins on Earthworms under Different Temperature and Moisture Conditions. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14020075. [PMID: 35202103 PMCID: PMC8878706 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14020075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Aflatoxin contamination remains one of the most important threats to food safety and human health. Aflatoxins are mainly found in soil, decaying plant material and food storage systems and are particularly abundant during drought stress. Regulations suggest the disposal of aflatoxin-contaminated crops by incorporation into the soil for natural degradation. However, the fate and consequences of aflatoxin in soil and on soil organisms providing essential ecological services remain unclear and could potentially pose a risk to soil health and productivity. The protection of soil biodiversity and ecosystem services are essential for the success of the declared United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The focus of this study was to investigate the toxicological consequences of aflatoxins to earthworms’ survival, growth, reproduction and genotoxicity under different temperature and moisture conditions. Results indicated an insignificant effect of aflatoxin concentrations between 10 and 100 µg/kg on the survival, growth and reproduction but indicated a concentration-dependent increase in DNA damage at standard testing conditions. However, the interaction of the toxin with different environmental conditions, particularly low moisture, resulted in significantly reduced reproduction rates and increased DNA damage in earthworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Fouché
- Department of Environmental Science, University of South Africa, Private Bag X6, Florida 1710, South Africa
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +27-11-6709711
| | - Sarina Claassens
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa; (S.C.); (M.S.M.)
| | - Mark Steve Maboeta
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa; (S.C.); (M.S.M.)
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Fountain K, Chang R, Laven C, Gregson J, Jeffs C, Molenaar F, Vaughan‐Higgins R, Evans A, Carter I, Sayers G, Pocknell A, Sainsbury A. Disease surveillance and risk factors affecting mortality of captive cirl buntings (
Emberiza cirlus
) in a translocation for conservation purposes. VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/vrc2.54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kay Fountain
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London London UK
| | | | - Carl Laven
- Paignton Zoological Gardens Paignton Devon UK
| | | | | | - Fieke Molenaar
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London London UK
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Lawson B, Robinson RA, Parmar M, Killick R, Cunningham AA, MacDonald SJ. Aflatoxin and ochratoxin A residues in supplementary foods used for wild birds. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 731:138851. [PMID: 32408204 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Provision of supplementary food for garden birds is practiced on a large scale in multiple countries. While this resource has benefits for wild bird populations, concern has been expressed regarding the potential for contamination of foodstuffs by mycotoxins, and the implications this might have for wildlife health. We investigated whether aflatoxin (AF) and ochratoxin A (OA) residues are present in foodstuffs sold for wild bird consumption at point of sale in Great Britain using high pressure liquid chromatography analyses. The hypothesis that production of these mycotoxins occurs in British climatic conditions, or under storage conditions after the point of sale, was tested under experimental conditions but was not proved by our study. While the majority of peanut samples were negative for AF residues, 10% (10/98) of samples at point of sale and 11% (13/119) of those across the storage and climate exposure treatment replicates contained AFB1 that exceeded the maximum permitted limit of 20 μg/kg. No significant difference was found in the detection of either mycotoxin between branded and non-branded products. The clinical significance, if any, of exposure of wild birds to mycotoxins requires further investigation. Nevertheless, the precautionary principle should be adopted and best practice steps to reduce the likelihood of wild bird exposure to mycotoxins are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Lawson
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK.
| | - R A Robinson
- British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, UK
| | - M Parmar
- Fera Science Ltd, National Agri-Food Innovation Campus, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ, UK
| | - R Killick
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - A A Cunningham
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - S J MacDonald
- Fera Science Ltd, National Agri-Food Innovation Campus, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ, UK
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Fouché T, Claassens S, Maboeta M. Aflatoxins in the soil ecosystem: an overview of its occurrence, fate, effects and future perspectives. Mycotoxin Res 2020; 36:303-309. [PMID: 32270463 DOI: 10.1007/s12550-020-00393-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites produced by specific strains of fungi, especially Aspergillus spp. These natural toxins are mainly found in soil, decaying vegetation and food storage systems and are particularly abundant during drought stress. Aflatoxin contamination is one of the most important threats to food safety and human health due to its toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. Therefore, most research focuses on post-harvest contamination of aflatoxins in feed and food commodities but very limited information is available about aflatoxin contamination and its toxicological consequences in the soil ecosystem. Current regulations provide minimal options for the disposal of aflatoxin-contaminated crops, amongst which is the incorporation of residues into the soil for natural degradation. This form of mycotoxin loading into the soil could potentially change its physicochemical characteristics and biotic parameters. Recent studies suggest that as climate conditions change, the occurrence and geographical distribution of aflatoxins might increase, posing significant health risks to the soil ecosystem, food crop production and human health. This review will focus on studies that look at the environmental and toxicological consequences of aflatoxin contamination with the aim of clarifying the risk that aflatoxin contamination poses to soil ecosystems. Many aspects of aflatoxin occurrence, degradation and the effects of its transformation products in the soil environment are still unknown and remain an important area of research for soil health and productivity. A climatic approach, in terms of changes in soil moisture and air temperature, is important for future risk assessments of aflatoxin contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Fouché
- Department of Environmental Science, University of South Africa, Private Bag X6, Florida, 1710, South Africa.
| | - Sarina Claassens
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Mark Maboeta
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
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Lawson B, Robinson RA, Toms MP, Risely K, MacDonald S, Cunningham AA. Health hazards to wild birds and risk factors associated with anthropogenic food provisioning. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019. [PMID: 29531146 PMCID: PMC5882997 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Provision of supplementary food for wild birds at garden feeding stations is a common, large-scale and year-round practice in multiple countries including Great Britain (GB). While these additional dietary resources can benefit wildlife, there is a concomitant risk of disease transmission, particularly when birds repeatedly congregate in the same place at high densities and through interactions of species that would not normally associate in close proximity. Citizen science schemes recording garden birds are popular and can integrate disease surveillance with population monitoring, offering a unique opportunity to explore inter-relationships between supplementary feeding, disease epidemiology and population dynamics. Here, we present findings from a national surveillance programme in GB and note the dynamism of endemic and emerging diseases over a 25-year period, focusing on protozoal (finch trichomonosis), viral (Paridae pox) and bacterial (passerine salmonellosis) diseases with contrasting modes of transmission. We also examine the occurrence of mycotoxin contamination of food residues in bird feeders, which present both a direct and indirect (though immunosuppression) risk to wild bird health. Our results inform evidence-based mitigation strategies to minimize anthropogenically mediated health hazards, while maintaining the benefits of providing supplementary food for wild birds.This article is part of the theme issue 'Anthropogenic resource subsidies and host-parasite dynamics in wildlife'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Becki Lawson
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Robert A Robinson
- British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, UK
| | - Mike P Toms
- British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, UK
| | - Kate Risely
- British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, UK
| | - Susan MacDonald
- Fera Science Ltd, National Agri-Food Innovation Campus, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ, UK
| | - Andrew A Cunningham
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
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Slamecka J, Capcarova M, Jurcik R, Sladecek T, Argente MJC, Gren A, Massanyi P. Seasonal, age and sex fluctuations in aflatoxin B 1 content in the liver and kidney of brown hares (Lepus europaeus Pall). JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART A, TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2017; 52:466-470. [PMID: 28095185 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2016.1271671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The goal of this study was to monitor the accumulation of aflatoxin B1 in the liver and kidney of brown hares (Lepus europaeus Pall) in the region of south-western Slovakia. A total of 65 samples were involved for analysis by RIA method. Brown hares were divided into the groups according to age, sex and season (month). The sex was determined visually after shooting, and the age was assigned from dried eye lens. The average concentration of AFB1 in the liver of hares was 0.54 ± 0.053 µg/kg, and lower values were measured in the kidney (0.41 ± 0.038 µg/kg). The significantly (P < 0.05) higher values were found in winter months when compared to summer months. According to the age, juvenile animals showed significant higher accumulation of B1 in both organs than adults (P < 0.05). Wild animals can serve as a good model of real environmental contamination. Thus, monitoring of risk factors such as mycotoxins in the environment is important with regard to public health, as game animals constitute an important part of food chain for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslav Slamecka
- a National Agricultural and Food Centre Nitra, Animal Production Research Centre Nitra , Luzianky , Slovak Republic
| | - Marcela Capcarova
- b Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences , Department of Animal Physiology , Nitra , Slovak Republic
| | - Rastislav Jurcik
- a National Agricultural and Food Centre Nitra, Animal Production Research Centre Nitra , Luzianky , Slovak Republic
| | - Tomas Sladecek
- a National Agricultural and Food Centre Nitra, Animal Production Research Centre Nitra , Luzianky , Slovak Republic
| | | | - Agnieszka Gren
- d Pedagogical University of Cracow, Institute of Biology , Kraków , Poland
| | - Peter Massanyi
- b Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences , Department of Animal Physiology , Nitra , Slovak Republic
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Liu DW, Liu HY, Zhang HB, Cao MC, Sun Y, Wu WD, Lu CH. Potential natural exposure of endangered red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) to mycotoxins aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, T-2 toxin, and ochratoxin A. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2016; 17:158-68. [PMID: 26834016 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b1500211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
A survey was conducted to determine whether mycotoxins were present in the foods consumed by red-crowned cranes (Grus japonensis) in the Yancheng Biosphere Reserve, China. Collected in the reserve's core, buffer, and experimental zones during overwintering periods of 2013 to 2015, a total of 113 food samples were analyzed for aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, T-2 toxin, and ochratoxin A using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The contamination incidences vary among different zones and the mycotoxins levels of different food samples also presented disparity. Average mycotoxin concentration from rice grain was greater than that from other food types. Among mycotoxin-positive samples, 59.3% were simultaneously contaminated with more than one toxin. This study demonstrated for the first time that red-crowned cranes were exposed to mycotoxins in the Yancheng Biosphere Reserve and suggested that artificial wetlands could not be considered good habitats for the birds in this reserve, especially rice fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-wei Liu
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.,Yancheng Biosphere Reserve, Yancheng 224057, China
| | - Hong-yi Liu
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Hai-bin Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Ming-chang Cao
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection of China, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Yong Sun
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Wen-da Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Chang-hu Lu
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
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Lawson B, Petrovan SO, Cunningham AA. Citizen Science and Wildlife Disease Surveillance. ECOHEALTH 2015; 12:693-702. [PMID: 26318592 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-015-1054-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Revised: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/01/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Achieving effective wildlife disease surveillance is challenging. The incorporation of citizen science (CS) in wildlife health surveillance can be beneficial, particularly where resources are limited and cost-effectiveness is paramount. Reports of wildlife morbidity and mortality from the public facilitate large-scale surveillance, both in time and space, which would otherwise be financially infeasible, and raise awareness of incidents occurring on privately owned land. CS wildlife disease surveillance schemes benefit scientists, the participating public and wildlife alike. CS has been employed for targeted, scanning and syndromic surveillance of wildlife disease. Whilst opportunistic surveillance is most common, systematic observations enable the standardisation of observer effort and, combined with wildlife population monitoring schemes, can allow evaluation of disease impacts at the population level. Near-universal access to digital media has revolutionised reporting modalities and facilitated rapid and economical means of sharing feedback with participants. Here we review CS schemes for wildlife disease surveillance and highlight their scope, benefits, logistical considerations, financial implications and potential limitations. The need to adopt a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to wildlife health surveillance is increasingly recognised and the general public can make a significant contribution through CS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Becki Lawson
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK.
| | | | - Andrew A Cunningham
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
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