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Oppler ZJ, Prusinski MA, O'Keeffe KR, Pearson P, Rich SM, Falco RC, Vinci V, O'Connor C, Haight J, Backenson PB, Brisson D. Population dynamics of the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, during rapid range expansion in New York State. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17480. [PMID: 39034651 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Recent changes in climate and human land-use have resulted in alterations of the geographic range of many species, including human pathogens. Geographic range expansion and population growth of human pathogens increase human disease risk. Relatively little empirical work has investigated the impact of range changes on within-population variability, a contributor to both colonization success and adaptive potential, during the precise time in which populations are colonized. This is likely due to the difficulties of collecting appropriate natural samples during the dynamic phase of migration and colonization. We systematically collected blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) across New York State (NY), USA, between 2006 and 2019, a time period coinciding with a rapid range expansion of ticks and their associated pathogens including Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiological agent of Lyme disease. These samples provide a unique opportunity to investigate the population dynamics of human pathogens as they expand into novel territory. We observed that founder effects were short-lived, as gene flow from long-established populations brought almost all B. burgdorferi lineages to newly colonized populations within just a few years of colonization. By 7 years post-colonization, B. burgdorferi lineage frequency distributions were indistinguishable from long-established sites, indicating that local B. burgdorferi populations experience similar selective pressures despite geographic separation. The B. burgdorferi lineage dynamics elucidate the processes underlying the range expansion and demonstrate that migration into, and selection within, newly colonized sites operate on different time scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary J Oppler
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Kayleigh R O'Keeffe
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Patrick Pearson
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stephen M Rich
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Richard C Falco
- New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Fordham University Louis Calder Center, Armonk, New York, USA
| | - Vanessa Vinci
- New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Fordham University Louis Calder Center, Armonk, New York, USA
| | - Collin O'Connor
- New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Buffalo State University, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Jamie Haight
- New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Chautauqua County Department of Public Works, Falconer, New York, USA
| | | | - Dustin Brisson
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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2
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Thomson-Laing G, Howarth JD, Atalah J, Vandergoes MJ, Li X, Pearman JK, Fitzsimons S, Moy C, Moody A, Shepherd C, McKay N, Wood SA. Sedimentary ancient DNA reveals the impact of anthropogenic land use disturbance and ecological shifts on fish community structure in small lowland lake. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171266. [PMID: 38417515 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171266] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Freshwater fish biodiversity and abundance are decreasing globally. The drivers of decline are primarily anthropogenic; however, the causative links between disturbances and fish community change are complex and challenging to investigate. We used a suite of sedimentary DNA methods (droplet digital PCR and metabarcoding) and traditional paleolimnological approaches, including pollen and trace metal analysis, ITRAX X-ray fluorescence and hyperspectral core scanning to explore changes in fish abundance and drivers over 1390 years in a small lake. This period captured a disturbance trajectory from pre-human settlement through subsistence living to intensive agriculture. Generalized additive mixed models explored the relationships between catchment inputs, internal drivers, and fish community structure. Fish community composition distinctly shifted around 1350 CE, with the decline of a sensitive Galaxias species concomitant with early land use changes. Total fish abundance significantly declined around 1950 CE related to increases in ruminant bacterial DNA (a proxy for ruminant abundance) and cadmium flux (a proxy for phosphate fertilizers), implicating land use intensification as a key driver. Concurrent shifts in phytoplankton and zooplankton suggested that fish communities were likely impacted by food web dynamics. This study highlights the potential of sedDNA to elucidate the long-term disturbance impacts on biological communities in lakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Thomson-Laing
- Cawthron Institute, 98 Halifax Street, The Wood, Nelson 7010, New Zealand; School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6012, New Zealand.
| | - Jamie D Howarth
- School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Javier Atalah
- Cawthron Institute, 98 Halifax Street, The Wood, Nelson 7010, New Zealand
| | | | - Xun Li
- GNS Science, 1 Fairway Drive, Avalon, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
| | - John K Pearman
- School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Sean Fitzsimons
- School of Geography, University of Otago, 360 Leith Street, North Dunedin, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Chris Moy
- Department of Geology, University of Otago, 360 Leith Street, North Dunedin, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Adelaine Moody
- School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Claire Shepherd
- GNS Science, 1 Fairway Drive, Avalon, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
| | - Nicholas McKay
- School of Earth and Sustainability, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Susanna A Wood
- Cawthron Institute, 98 Halifax Street, The Wood, Nelson 7010, New Zealand
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3
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Bueno ML, Heringer G, de Carvalho DR, Robinson TB, Pompeu PS, Zenni RD. Ecosystem variables importance in the presence and abundance of a globally invasive fish. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 876:162795. [PMID: 36907404 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Changes in physical habitat that are associated with anthropogenic disturbances facilitate the establishment and expansion of non-native species in receiving environments. Here, we evaluated the relative importance of ecosystem variables for the presence and abundance of the invasive fish Poecilia reticulata in Brazil. We collected fish species and assessed environmental variables through an established physical habitat protocol in 220 stream sites located in southeastern and midwestern Brazil. A total of 14,816 P. reticulata individuals were collected in 43 stream sites, and 258 variables that describe the physical characteristics of streams were assessed, including measures of channel morphology, substrate size and type, habitat complexity and cover, riparian vegetation cover and structure, and human influence. Dimensionality reduction methods were employed to limit redundancy, resulting in a smaller set of the most relevant environmental variables. Subsequently, we used random forest models to assess the relative importance of these variables in determining the presence and abundance of P. reticulata. The presence of this invasive fish was primarily explained by human disturbance variables related to urbanization (total impact, pavement, artificial structure areal cover, riparian canopy cover, electrical conductivity, mean thalweg depth, and sand), whereas channel morphology (mean bank full height) and fish cover variables (natural fish cover, and aquatic macrophyte areal cover) were important predictors of its abundance. Identifying which ecosystem variables are favorable to the establishment of non-native species is an important step in preventing future biological invasions, as well as managing those that already occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Lopes Bueno
- Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG 37200-900, Brazil.
| | - Gustavo Heringer
- Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG 37200-900, Brazil
| | - Débora Reis de Carvalho
- Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG 37200-900, Brazil
| | - Tamara B Robinson
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland 7602, South Africa
| | - Paulo Santos Pompeu
- Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG 37200-900, Brazil
| | - Rafael Dudeque Zenni
- Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG 37200-900, Brazil
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4
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Jourdan J, Riesch R, Cunze S. Off to new shores: Climate niche expansion in invasive mosquitofish ( Gambusia spp.). Ecol Evol 2021; 11:18369-18400. [PMID: 35003679 PMCID: PMC8717293 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Formerly introduced for their presumed value in controlling mosquito-borne diseases, the two mosquitofish Gambusia affinis and G. holbrooki (Poeciliidae) are now among the world's most widespread invasive alien species, negatively impacting aquatic ecosystems around the world. These inconspicuous freshwater fish are, once their presence is noticed, difficult to eradicate. It is, therefore, of utmost importance to assess their geographic potential and to identify their likely ability to persist under novel climatic conditions. LOCATION Global. METHODS We build species distribution models using occurrence data from the native and introduced distribution ranges to identify putative niche shifts and further ascertain the areas climatically suitable for the establishment and possible spread of mosquitofish. RESULTS We found significant niche expansions into climatic regions outside their natural climatic conditions, emphasizing the importance of integrating climatic niches of both native and invasive ranges into projections. In particular, there was a marked shift toward tropical regions in Asia and a clear niche shift of European G. holbrooki. This ecological flexibility partly explains the massive success of the two species, and substantially increases the risk for further range expansion. We also showed that the potential for additional expansion resulting from climate change is enormous-especially in Europe. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Despite the successful invasion history and ongoing range expansions, many countries still lack proper preventive measures. Thus, we urge policy makers to carefully evaluate the risk both mosquitofish pose to a particular area and to initiate appropriate management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Jourdan
- Department Aquatic EcotoxicologyGoethe University of FrankfurtFrankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Rüdiger Riesch
- Department of Biological SciencesRoyal Holloway University of LondonEghamUK
| | - Sarah Cunze
- Department of Integrative Parasitology and ZoophysiologyGoethe University of FrankfurtFrankfurt am MainGermany
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5
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Gong X, Chen Y, Wang T, Jiang X, Hu X, Feng J. Double-edged effects of climate change on plant invasions: Ecological niche modeling global distributions of two invasive alien plants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 740:139933. [PMID: 32559529 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The prediction of the potential distribution of invasive alien species is key for the control of their proliferation. This study developed ensemble niche models to explore the distribution patterns of Cecropia peltata and Ulex europaeus under baseline and future conditions, as well as the factors that regulate them. The models were based on occurrence records as well as climate, land-use and topography datasets. Climatic factors played a stronger role than land-use and topographical factors in their distribution patterns. Additionally, temperature seasonality and temperature annual range were the optimal predictor for the global distributions of C. peltata and U. europaeus, respectively. Under the baseline-RCP 8.5 scenario in 2070, significant increases in habitat suitability for C. peltata were generally detected in tropical regions, while for U. europaeus under the same condition, significant increases in habitat suitability were generally observed in west coast of South America and Europe, suggesting the impacts of climate changes on species distribution may be species specific. The contrast changes of suitable habitat areas for U. europaeus under the baseline-2.6 and 8.5 scenarios may suggest that the scenarios of climate changes may modify its distribution patterns and variations in suitable habitats. The double-edged effects of global warming on plant invasions may be a result of the scenario specific climate change and the species-specific responses to changes in climate. Our findings highlight the importance of climate change scenario specific and species-specific research on the impact of climate change on plant invasions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Gong
- Department of Life Science and Agronomy, Dali University, No. 2 Hongsheng Road, Dali 671003, China
| | - Youjun Chen
- Department of Life Science and Agronomy, Dali University, No. 2 Hongsheng Road, Dali 671003, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Life Science and Agronomy, Dali University, No. 2 Hongsheng Road, Dali 671003, China
| | - Xianfeng Jiang
- Department of Life Science and Agronomy, Dali University, No. 2 Hongsheng Road, Dali 671003, China
| | - Xiaokang Hu
- Department of Life Science and Agronomy, Dali University, No. 2 Hongsheng Road, Dali 671003, China
| | - Jianmeng Feng
- Department of Life Science and Agronomy, Dali University, No. 2 Hongsheng Road, Dali 671003, China.
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6
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Wood ZT, Shepard ID, Hurley ST, Paisker MR, Hensley VR, Kinnison MT. Sex-Dependent Cold Tolerance at the Northern Invasive Range Limit of Gambusia affinis on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. COPEIA 2020. [DOI: 10.1643/ce-19-332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zachary T. Wood
- Ecology and Environmental Sciences Program, School of Biology and Ecology, 5751 Murray Hall, University of Maine, Orono, Maine; (ZTW) . Send reprint requests to ZTW
| | - Isaac D. Shepard
- Ecology and Environmental Sciences Program, School of Biology and Ecology, 5751 Murray Hall, University of Maine, Orono, Maine; (ZTW) . Send reprint requests to ZTW
| | - Stephen T. Hurley
- Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts
| | - Mitchell R. Paisker
- Ecology and Environmental Sciences Program, School of Biology and Ecology, 5751 Murray Hall, University of Maine, Orono, Maine; (ZTW) . Send reprint requests to ZTW
| | - Vanessa R. Hensley
- Ecology and Environmental Sciences Program, School of Biology and Ecology, 5751 Murray Hall, University of Maine, Orono, Maine; (ZTW) . Send reprint requests to ZTW
| | - Michael T. Kinnison
- Ecology and Environmental Sciences Program, School of Biology and Ecology, 5751 Murray Hall, University of Maine, Orono, Maine; (ZTW) . Send reprint requests to ZTW
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7
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Huang GY, Shi WJ, Fang GZ, Liang YQ, Liu YS, Liu SS, Hu LX, Chen HX, Xie L, Ying GG. Endocrine disruption in western mosquitofish from open and closed aquatic ecosystems polluted by swine farm wastewaters. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 137:105552. [PMID: 32059144 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Swine farm wastewaters (SFWs) are generally discharged either directly into nearby rivers or into fish ponds as a source of fertilizer/food for aquaculture in China. SFWs contain various contaminants including steroid hormones. However, there is an extreme paucity of data on their effects in fish populations. Here we investigated the endocrine disrupting effects of SFWs in G. affinis from 2 rivers (7 sites) and 2 fish ponds (2 sites) receiving SFWs and a reference site in Guangdong Province, China. In this study, a total number of 3078 adult western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) were collected and the sex ratio was determined. In addition, secondary sexual characteristics were examined and the transcriptional levels of target genes were analyzed. The results showed the mosquitofish populations had a significant increase in male-to-female ratio from 7 sites (including 2 fish ponds) among the 9 sampling sites. The hemal spines of females were masculinized at most sites while the hemal spines of males were feminized at approximately half of the sites (including 2 fish ponds). Significant reduction in vitellogenin (Vtg) mRNA expression was observed in females from 2 sites (including RS7) while elevated Vtg mRNA expression was noticed in males from 2 sites along the rivers (including RS7). Redundancy analysis showed that androgens in the water samples were closely related with male-to-female ratio in the mosquitofish populations and the masculinized hemal spines of females. The findings from this study demonstrated that discharge of SFWs could result in occurrence of both masculinized females and feminized males in mosquitofish population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Yong Huang
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wen-Jun Shi
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Gui-Zhen Fang
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yan-Qiu Liang
- Faculty of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - You-Sheng Liu
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shuang-Shuang Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Li-Xin Hu
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hong-Xing Chen
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Lingtian Xie
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Guang-Guo Ying
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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8
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Cano-Rocabayera O, de Sostoa A, Coll L, Maceda-Veiga A. Managing small, highly prolific invasive aquatic species: Exploring an ecosystem approach for the eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 673:594-604. [PMID: 30999100 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Invasive exotic species threaten native biodiversity worldwide and their management is on the agenda of an increasing number of countries. We explored the potential of an ecosystem approach for the natural control of Gambusia holbrooki, which is among the most pernicious and widely distributed fish invaders. Individual-based linear mixed models were used to identify the ecosystem factors (conspecific density, environment and piscivorous birds) that most influenced life-history variation in male and female G. holbrooki (N = 654). All traits (body condition, growth, length, gonad weight, offspring size and number, real and potential fertility) were associated with at least one ecosystem factor from the 18 water bodies surveyed in north-eastern Spain. Models for female reproductive traits had the highest fit (R2 = 0.89) and those for body condition in both sexes the lowest (0.12). The life history of G. holbrooki was mostly affected by its density; increasing offspring number at the expense of offspring size at the sites with the highest fish density. Weaker effects on G. holbrooki life history were observed for the abundance of piscivorous birds and water-quality conditions, including turbidity and nutrient concentrations. Although effects were not consistent between traits, outputs supported that G. holbrooki has a wide tolerance to changes in water quality. Therefore, actions based solely on environmental changes within the range tested probably will fail in reducing the proliferation of G. holbrooki, especially if its body condition improved at the most naturalised sites. Overall, this study suggests that the management of G. holbrooki using ecologically sound treatments is likely to be very difficult in stagnant waters. Preventing new introductions and direct removal once established are the most appropriate actions for the management of this small, highly prolific fish invader.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriol Cano-Rocabayera
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Research in Biodiversity (IRBio-UB), Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Adolfo de Sostoa
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Research in Biodiversity (IRBio-UB), Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lluís Coll
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Research in Biodiversity (IRBio-UB), Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alberto Maceda-Veiga
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Research in Biodiversity (IRBio-UB), Universitat de Barcelona, Spain; Department of Integrative Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
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9
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Bertram MG, Martin JM, Saaristo M, Ecker TE, Michelangeli M, Deal NDS, Lim SL, O'Bryan MK, Wong BBM. Context-specific behavioural changes induced by exposure to an androgenic endocrine disruptor. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 664:177-187. [PMID: 30743111 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Pharmaceutical contaminants are being detected with increased frequency in organisms and ecosystems worldwide. This represents a major environmental concern given that various pharmaceuticals act on drug targets that are evolutionarily conserved across diverse taxa, are often persistent in the environment, and can bioconcentrate in organisms and bioaccumulate in food chains. Despite this, relatively little is known about the potential for pharmaceutical contaminants to affect animal behaviour, especially across multiple fitness-related contexts. Here, we investigated impacts of 21-day exposure of wild-caught male eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) to a field-realistic level of the veterinary pharmaceutical 17β-trenbolone-a growth-promoting steroid used extensively in beef production worldwide and a potent androgenic endocrine disruptor repeatedly detected in surface waters affected by livestock effluent run-off. First, we examined male boldness, activity, and exploratory behaviour in a novel environment (maze arena) and found no significant effect of 17β-trenbolone exposure. Second, the same males were tested in a reproductive assay for their tendency to associate with a stimulus (unexposed) female behind a partition. Exposed males exhibited reduced association behaviour, taking longer to first associate with, and spending less time within close proximity to, a female. Third, all males were assayed for sperm function (computer-assisted sperm analysis, sperm viability) or quantity (total sperm count) and, although no significant main effects of 17β-trenbolone were seen on sperm traits, exposure altered the relationship between male morphology and sperm function. Lastly, morphological traits were assessed and exposed males were found to have, on average, increased mass relative to length. In combination, these results demonstrate that exposure to a field-realistic level of 17β-trenbolone can produce subtle but important trait alterations in male fish-including context-specific behavioural changes, disruption of key sperm function trade-offs, and altered morphology-with potential impacts on exposed wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Bertram
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Jake M Martin
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Minna Saaristo
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia; Department of Biosciences, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Tiarne E Ecker
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marcus Michelangeli
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia; Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Nicholas D S Deal
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shu Ly Lim
- The Development and Stem Cells Program of Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and the Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia; The Development and Stem Cells Program of Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and the Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bob B M Wong
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
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10
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Threshold Responses in the Taxonomic and Functional Structure of Fish Assemblages to Land Use and Water Quality: A Case Study from the Taizi River. WATER 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/w11040661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Biological functional traits help to understand specific stressors that are ignored intaxonomic data analysis. A combination of biological functional traits and taxonomic data ishelpful in determining specific stressors which are of significance for fish conservation and riverbasin management. In the current study, the Taizi River was used as a case study to understand therelationships between the taxonomic and functional structure of fish and land use and waterquality, in addition to determining the thresholds of these stressors. The results showed thattaxonomic structure was significantly affected by the proportion of urban land and specificconductivity levels, while functional metrics were influenced by the proportions of farmland andforest. Threshold indicator taxa analysis found that Phoxinus lagowskii, Barbatula barbatula nuda,Odontobutis obscura, and Cobitis granoei had negative threshold responses along the gradients ofurban developments and specific conductivity. There was a significant change in fish taxonomiccomposition when the proportion of urban land exceeded a threshold of 2.6–3.1%, or specificconductivity exceeded a threshold of 369.5–484.5 μS/cm. Three functional features—habitatpreference, tolerance to disturbances, and spawning traits—showed threshold responses to theproportion of farmland and forest. The abundance of sensitive species should be monitored as partof watershed management, as sensitive species exhibit an earlier and stronger response to stressorsthan other functional metrics. Sensitive species had a positive threshold response to the proportionof forest at 80.1%. These species exhibited a negative threshold response to the proportion offarmland at 13.3%. The results of the current study suggest that the taxonomic and functionalstructure of fish assemblages are affected by land use and water quality. These parameters shouldbe integrated into routine monitoring for fish conservation and river basin management in the TaiziRiver. In addition, corresponding measures for improving river habitat and water quality shouldbe implemented according to the thresholds of these parameters.
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11
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Kwan TN, Patil JG. Sex biased expression of anti-Mullerian hormone (amh) gene in a live bearing fish, Gambusia holbrooki: Evolutionary implications and potential role in sex differentiation. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 231:59-66. [PMID: 30794959 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2019.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The amh, a member of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family, is known to play a critical role in vertebrate male sex differentiation, with its paralogue/s evolving to determine sex in few heterogametic (XX/XY) teleosts. However, it remains relatively unexplored in the reproductively unique live bearing teleosts. Therefore, this study comparatively examined the structure and content of G. holbrooki amh as well as characterised its expression. A paralogous Y-specific amh (amhy) was not detected, suggesting an unlikely role in sex determination. Two transcripts (1.4 and 1.5 kb) were detected in adults: the larger (1.5 kb) retaining intron 5, coding for a truncated AMH-N and no TGF-β domain. The small (1.4 kb) transcript, had both domains intact and clustered with members of Poeciliidae. In contrast to other vertebrates, a higher conservation between the N- rather than the C- terminus of amh in Poeciliidae was observed, suggesting an adaptation that may be unique to live bearing teleosts. The amh expression was 6 times higher in brain of both sexes and testis compared with ovaries (p = .001). Intriguingly, female splenic tissues showed 10 times higher expression (p = .006) and such female bias splenic expression has not been reported in any teleosts. Ontogenic expression was 25 times higher in male embryos at gastrulation stage (p = .001), much earlier than those reported in egg-laying teleosts. Such heightened expression in male embryos suggests a repressive role associated with proliferation and migration of primordial germ cells (PGCs) that are known to occur earlier at blastulation in teleosts-potentially influencing gonadal fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu Nin Kwan
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania, TAS, Australia.
| | - Jawahar G Patil
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania, TAS, Australia; Inland Fisheries and Services (IFS), TAS, Australia
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12
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Bertram MG, Saaristo M, Martin JM, Ecker TE, Michelangeli M, Johnstone CP, Wong BBM. Field-realistic exposure to the androgenic endocrine disruptor 17β-trenbolone alters ecologically important behaviours in female fish across multiple contexts. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 243:900-911. [PMID: 30245452 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.09.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The capacity of pharmaceutical pollution to alter behaviour in wildlife is of increasing environmental concern. A major pathway of these pollutants into the environment is the treatment of livestock with hormonal growth promotants (HGPs), which are highly potent veterinary pharmaceuticals that enter aquatic ecosystems via effluent runoff. Hormonal growth promotants are designed to exert biological effects at low doses, can act on physiological pathways that are evolutionarily conserved across taxa, and have been detected in ecosystems worldwide. However, despite being shown to alter key fitness-related processes (e.g., development, reproduction) in various non-target species, relatively little is known about the potential for HGPs to alter ecologically important behaviours, especially across multiple contexts. Here, we investigated the effects of exposure to a field-realistic level of the androgenic HGP metabolite 17β-trenbolone-an endocrine-disrupting chemical that has repeatedly been detected in freshwater systems-on a suite of ecologically important behaviours in wild-caught female eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki). First, we found that 17β-trenbolone-exposed fish were more active and exploratory in a novel environment (i.e., maze arena), while boldness (i.e., refuge use) was not significantly affected. Second, when tested for sociability, exposed fish spent less time in close proximity to a shoal of stimulus (i.e., unexposed) conspecific females and were, again, found to be more active. Third, when assayed for foraging behaviour, exposed fish were faster to reach a foraging zone containing prey items (chironomid larvae), quicker to commence feeding, spent more time foraging, and consumed a greater number of prey items, although the effect of exposure on certain foraging behaviours was dependent on fish size. Taken together, these findings highlight the potential for exposure to sub-lethal levels of veterinary pharmaceuticals to alter sensitive behavioural processes in wildlife across multiple contexts, with potential ecological and evolutionary implications for exposed populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Bertram
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Minna Saaristo
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia; Department of Biosciences, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Jake M Martin
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tiarne E Ecker
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | - Bob B M Wong
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
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13
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Ecological Models to Infer the Quantitative Relationship between Land Use and the Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Community. WATER 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/w10020184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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