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Lewis Najev BS, Neiman M. Invasive freshwater snails are less sensitive to population density than native conspecifics. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11161. [PMID: 38774144 PMCID: PMC11106046 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding how and why some species or lineages become invasive is critically important for effectively predicting and mitigating biological invasions. Here, we address an important unanswered question in invasion biology: do key life-history traits of invasive versus native lineages within a species differ in response to key environmental stressors? We focus on the environmental factor of population density, which is a fundamental characteristic of all populations, and investigate how changes in density affect native versus invasive Potamopyrgus antipodarum (New Zealand mudsnail). P. antipodarum has invaded 39 countries and detrimentally affects invaded environments. Previous studies of native and invasive populations and from laboratory experiments have demonstrated that growth and reproduction of P. antipodarum is sensitive to population density, though whether and how this sensitivity varies across native versus invasive lineages remains uncharacterized. We quantified individual growth rate and reproduction in P. antipodarum from multiple distinct native and invasive lineages across three different population density treatments. The growth of native but not invasive lineages decreased as density increased. There was no differential effect of density treatment on embryo production of invasive versus native snails, but a significantly higher proportion of snails were reproductive in high density compared to intermediate density for invasive lineages. In native lineages, there were no significant differences in the relative frequency of reproductive snails across density treatments. While the extent to which these results from our laboratory study can be extrapolated to the more complex natural world remain unclear, our findings are consistent with a scenario where differential sensitivity to population density could help explain why some lineages become successful invaders. Our findings also align with previous studies that show that invasive P. antipodarum lineages exhibit a relatively wide range of tolerance to environmental stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maurine Neiman
- Department of BiologyUniversity of IowaIowa CityIowaUSA
- Department of Gender, Women's and Sexuality StudiesUniversity of IowaIowa CityIowaUSA
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2
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Olmastroni S, Simonetti S, Fattorini N, D'Amico V, Cusset F, Bustamante P, Cherel Y, Corsi I. Living in a challenging environment: Monitoring stress ecology by non-destructive methods in an Antarctic seabird. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171249. [PMID: 38431169 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171249] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
How Antarctic species are facing historical and new stressors remains under-surveyed and risks to wildlife are still largely unknown. Adélie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae are well-known bioindicators and sentinels of Antarctic ecosystem changes, a true canary in the coal mine. Immuno-haematological parameters have been proved to detect stress in wild animals, given their rapid physiological response that allows them tracking environmental changes and thus inferring habitat quality. Here, we investigated variation in Erythrocyte Nuclear Abnormalities (ENAs) and White Blood Cells (WBCs) in penguins from three clustered colonies in the Ross Sea, evaluating immuno-haematological parameters according to geography, breeding stage, and individual penguin characteristics such as sex, body condition and nest quality. Concentrations of mercury (Hg) and stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen (as proxies of the penguin's trophic ecology) were analysed in feathers to investigate the association between stress biomarkers and Hg contamination in Adélie penguins. Colony and breeding stage were not supported as predictors of immuno-haematological parameters. ENAs and WBCs were respectively ∼30 % and ∼20 % higher in male than in female penguins. Body condition influenced WBCs, with penguins in the best condition having a ∼22 % higher level of WBCs than those in the worst condition. Nest position affected the proportion of micronuclei (MNs), with inner-nesting penguins having more than three times the proportion of MNs than penguins nesting in peripheral positions. Heterophils:Lymphocytes (H:L) ratio was not affected by any of the above predictors. Multiple factors acting as stressors are expected to increase prominently in Antarctic wildlife in the near future, therefore extensive monitoring aimed to assess the health status of penguin populations is mandatory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Olmastroni
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Silvia Simonetti
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Niccolò Fattorini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Verónica D'Amico
- Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos (CESIMAR), (CCT Centro Nacional Patagónico -CONICET), Brown 2915, U9120ACF, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Fanny Cusset
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France; Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
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Gallagher KL, Cimino MA, Dinniman MS, Lynch HJ. Quantifying potential marine debris sources and potential threats to penguins on the West Antarctic Peninsula. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 347:123714. [PMID: 38452836 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123714] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Marine pollution is becoming ubiquitous in the environment. Observations of pollution on beaches, in the coastal ocean, and in organisms in the Antarctic are becoming distressingly common. Increasing human activity, growing tourism, and an expanding krill fishing industry along the West Antarctic Peninsula all represent potential sources of plastic pollution and other debris (collectively referred to as debris) to the region. However, the sources of these pollutants from point (pollutants released from discrete sources) versus non-point (pollutants from a large area rather than a specific source) sources are poorly understood. We used buoyant simulated particles released in a high-resolution physical ocean model to quantify pollutant loads throughout the region. We considered non-point sources of debris from the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, Bellingshausen Sea, Weddell Sea, and point source pollution from human activities including tourism, research, and fishing. We also determined possible origins for observed debris based on data from the Southern Ocean Observing System and Palmer Long-Term Ecological Research program. Our results indicate that point source pollution released in the coastal Antarctic is more likely to serve as a source for observed debris than non-point sources, and that the dominant source of pollution is region-specific. Penguin colonies in the South Shetland and Elephant Islands had the greatest debris load from point sources whereas loads from non-point sources were greatest around the southernmost colonies. Penguin colonies at Cornwallis Island and Fort Point were exposed to the highest theoretical debris loads. While these results do not include physical processes such as windage and Stokes Drift that are known to impact debris distributions and transport in the coastal ocean, these results provide critical insights to building an effective stratified sampling and monitoring effort to better understand debris distributions, concentrations, and origins throughout the West Antarctic Peninsula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine L Gallagher
- Institute for Advanced Computational Sciences, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicols Road, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA; School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicols Road, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA.
| | - Megan A Cimino
- Institute of Marine Science, University of California Santa Cruz, 1156 High St, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - Michael S Dinniman
- Department of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Old Dominion University, 5115 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA
| | - Heather J Lynch
- Institute for Advanced Computational Sciences, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicols Road, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA; Department of Ecology & Evolution, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicols Road, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
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4
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Gimeno M, Rossell L, Julià L, Giménez J, Sanpera C, Coll M, Bustamante P, Ramírez F. Assessing mercury contamination in Southern Hemisphere marine ecosystems: The role of penguins as effective bioindicators. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 343:123159. [PMID: 38104761 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123159] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant known for its significant bioaccumulation and biomagnification capabilities, posing a particular threat to marine environments. Seabirds have been recognized as effective bioindicators of marine pollution, and, among them, penguins present a unique opportunity to serve as a single taxonomic group (Sphenisciformes) for monitoring Hg across distinct marine ecosystems in the Southern Hemisphere. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive systematic review of Hg concentrations, and performed a meta-analysis that took into account the various sources of uncertainty associated with Hg contamination in penguins. Beyond intrinsic species-specific factors shaping Hg levels, our results showed that the penguin community effectively reflects spatial patterns of Hg bioavailability. We identified geographic Hg hotspots in Australia, the Indian Ocean, and Tierra del Fuego, as well as coldspots in Perú and the South Atlantic. Furthermore, specific penguin species, namely the Southern Rockhopper (Eudyptes chrysocome) and Macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus), are highlighted as particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of Hg. Additionally, we identified knowledge gaps in geographic areas such as the Galápagos Islands, South Africa, and the coast of Chile, as well as in species including Fiordland (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus), Snares (Eudyptes robustus), Erect-crested (Eudyptes sclateri), Royal (Eudyptes schlegeli), Yellow-eyed (Megadyptes antipodes), and Galápagos (Spheniscus mendiculus) penguins. Overall, our study contributes to the growing body of literature emphasizing the role of penguins as bioindicators of Hg pollution, but it also highlights areas where further research and data collection are needed for a more comprehensive understanding of Hg contamination in marine ecosystems in the Southern Hemisphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Míriam Gimeno
- Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Av/Diagonal 645, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Rossell
- Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Julià
- Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Giménez
- Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO-CSIC), Centro Oceanografico de Málaga (COMA), Fuengirola, Spain
| | - Carolina Sanpera
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Av/Diagonal 645, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Coll
- Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS, La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 Rue Descartes, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Francisco Ramírez
- Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
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5
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Gimeno M, Giménez J, Chiaradia A, Davis LS, Seddon PJ, Ropert-Coudert Y, Reisinger RR, Coll M, Ramírez F. Climate and human stressors on global penguin hotspots: Current assessments for future conservation. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17143. [PMID: 38273518 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
As charismatic and iconic species, penguins can act as "ambassadors" or flagship species to promote the conservation of marine habitats in the Southern Hemisphere. Unfortunately, there is a lack of reliable, comprehensive, and systematic analysis aimed at compiling spatially explicit assessments of the multiple impacts that the world's 18 species of penguin are facing. We provide such an assessment by combining the available penguin occurrence information from Global Biodiversity Information Facility (>800,000 occurrences) with three main stressors: climate-driven environmental changes at sea, industrial fisheries, and human disturbances on land. Our analyses provide a quantitative assessment of how these impacts are unevenly distributed spatially within species' distribution ranges. Consequently, contrasting pressures are expected among species, and populations within species. The areas coinciding with the greatest impacts for penguins are the coast of Perú, the Patagonian Shelf, the Benguela upwelling region, and the Australian and New Zealand coasts. When weighting these potential stressors with species-specific vulnerabilities, Humboldt (Spheniscus humboldti), African (Spheniscus demersus), and Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) emerge as the species under the most pressure. Our approach explicitly differentiates between climate and human stressors, since the more achievable management of local anthropogenic stressors (e.g., fisheries and land-based threats) may provide a suitable means for facilitating cumulative impacts on penguins, especially where they may remain resilient to global processes such as climate change. Moreover, our study highlights some poorly represented species such as the Northern Rockhopper (Eudyptes moseleyi), Snares (Eudyptes robustus), and Erect-crested penguin (Eudyptes sclateri) that need internationally coordinated efforts for data acquisition and data sharing to understand their spatial distribution properly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Míriam Gimeno
- Institut de Ciencies del Mar, Recursos Marins Renovables, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Giménez
- Institut de Ciencies del Mar, Recursos Marins Renovables, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga (COMA), Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO-CSIC), Fuengirola, Spain
| | - Andre Chiaradia
- Conservation Department, Phillip Island Nature Parks, Cowes, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Ryan R Reisinger
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Marta Coll
- Institut de Ciencies del Mar, Recursos Marins Renovables, Barcelona, Spain
- Ecopath International Initiative (EII), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Ramírez
- Institut de Ciencies del Mar, Recursos Marins Renovables, Barcelona, Spain
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6
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Adkesson MJ, Shlosberg A, Lehner AF, Rumbeiha WK, Cárdenas-Alayza S, Cardeña-Mormontoy M, Kannan K. MEASUREMENT OF PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS, PERFLUORINATED COMPOUNDS, AND TOXIC METALS IN THE BLOOD OF HUMBOLDT PENGUINS (SPHENISCUS HUMBOLDTI) AT PUNTA SAN JUAN, PERU USING DRIED BLOOD SPOTS. J Zoo Wildl Med 2024; 54:713-720. [PMID: 38251994 DOI: 10.1638/2023-0047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) population at the Punta San Juan Marine Protected Area in Peru is considered critical to the long-term sustainability of this endangered species in Peru. Exposure of the rookery to environmental toxicants is a mounting concern because of regional growth of industries and human populations. Whole blood samples were collected from 30 free-ranging penguins in 2011 as part of a broader population health monitoring program. Dried blood spots (DBS) containing 50 µl of blood were prepared and analyzed to assess exposure to five groups of environmental contaminants. Concentrations of elements arsenic, cadmium, iron, lead, mercury, selenium, and thallium were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Persistent organic pollutant concentrations were measured using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to analyze organochlorine pesticides (OCP; p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, β-hexachlorocyclohexane, t-nonachlor, and oxychlordane), polychlorinated biphenyls (congeners 138 and 153), and polybrominated flame retardants (polybrominated biphenyl-153 and polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners 47 and 99). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results revealed low levels of exposure to these selected contaminants, at levels not considered to be of concern for wildlife health. DBS methodology was considered effective in a field-based setting for quantification of whole blood concentrations of environmental contaminants in penguins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andreas F Lehner
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Michigan State University, Lansing, MI 48910-8104, USA
| | - Wilson K Rumbeiha
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Susana Cárdenas-Alayza
- Punta San Juan Program, Center for Environmental Sustainability, Cayetano Heredia University, Lima 4314, Peru
| | - Marco Cardeña-Mormontoy
- Punta San Juan Program, Center for Environmental Sustainability, Cayetano Heredia University, Lima 4314, Peru
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Harris S, Scioscia G, Raya Rey A. The influence of tourist visitation on the heterophyl to lymphocyte ratios and trophic values of Magellanic penguins ( Spheniscus magellanicus) at Martillo Island, Argentina. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coad063. [PMID: 38053739 PMCID: PMC10694407 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Wildlife tourism is increasing worldwide and monitoring the impact of tourism on wild populations is of the utmost importance for species conservation. The Magellanic penguin Spheniscus magellanicus colony at Martillo Island, Argentina, was studied in the 2016-2020 breeding seasons. In all seasons, adults and chicks belonged to: (i) an area close to or within the tourist trail or (ii) an area far from the tourist trail and out of sight of the tourists. Blood samples were taken for carbon and nitrogen stable isotope composition, in order to estimate trophic niches, and for smears that were made in situ and were then stained in the laboratory where leucocyte counts and differentiation were made under optical microscope. Heterophil to lymphocyte ratios were used as proxies of stress. Repeated sampling showed individual stress levels reduced while wintering. In 2017, stress levels and trophic values were lower than 2018 for the same individuals. Trophic levels did not differ between tourism and no tourism areas within each season, and differed between 2017 and the remaining seasons, indicating a possible diet shift that year. Stress levels were higher for the tourism area than the no tourism area for adults and chicks in all years except for 2020, when stress levels in the tourism area were lower and similar to the no tourism area that year and previous years. Vessel transit within the Beagle Channel and tourist visitation to the penguin colony was greatly reduced in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A combination of internal characteristics and external factors may be affecting the stress physiology of individuals. Therefore, future research should include sampling of multiple aspects of penguin physiology, behaviour and environmental context in order to evaluate each effect on Magellanic penguin stress and, ultimately, inform the conservation of this iconic species in time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Harris
- Laboratorio de Ecología y Conservación de Vida silvestre, Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Houssay 200 (9410) Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
- Wildlife Conservation Society representación Argentina, Amenábar 1595 piso 2 oficina 19 (1426) CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Scioscia
- Laboratorio de Ecología y Conservación de Vida silvestre, Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Houssay 200 (9410) Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
| | - Andrea Raya Rey
- Laboratorio de Ecología y Conservación de Vida silvestre, Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Houssay 200 (9410) Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
- Wildlife Conservation Society representación Argentina, Amenábar 1595 piso 2 oficina 19 (1426) CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Ciencias Polares, Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (ICPA), Universidad de Tierra del Fuego (UNTDF), Walanika 250 (9410) Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
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8
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Chris DI, Onyena AP, Sam K. Evaluation of human health and ecological risk of heavy metals in water, sediment and shellfishes in typical artisanal oil mining areas of Nigeria. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:80055-80069. [PMID: 37286839 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27932-z] [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: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination in water and sediment is a serious concern in nations that depend heavily on natural resources such as Nigeria. In most coastal communities around oil mining areas in Nigeria, drinking water quality, staple food, and livelihoods are primarily dependent on ecological systems and marine resources (e.g., fish). Thus, humans and other receptors are exposed to heavy metal risks through ingestion and dermal contact. This research evaluated the potential ecological risks of heavy metals including Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), and Lead (Pb) in water, sediments, and shellfishes (Callinectes amnicola, Uca tangeri, Tympanotonus fuscatus, Peneaus monodon) along the Opuroama Creek in Niger Delta, Nigeria. The concentrations of heavy metals were measured in three stations using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and their relative ecological (geo-accumulation index and contamination factor) and human health risk (hazard index and hazard quotient) analysed. The toxicity response indices of the heavy metals indicate that the sediments pose significant ecological risk particularly with Cd. None of the three exposure pathways to heavy metals in the shellfish muscles and age groups pose a non-carcinogenic risk. Total Cancer Risk values for Cd and Cr exceeded the acceptable range (10-6 to 10-4) established by USEPA in children and adults, raising concerns of potential cancer risks following exposure to these metals in the area. This established a significant possibility of heavy metal risks to public health and marine organisms. The study recommends conducting in-depth health analysis and reducing oil spills while providing sustainable livelihoods to the local population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amarachi Paschaline Onyena
- Department of Marine Environment and Pollution Control, Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Warri, Nigeria.
| | - Kabari Sam
- Department of Marine Environment and Pollution Control, Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Warri, Nigeria
- School of Environment, Geography and Geoscience, University of Portsmouth, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth, PO1 3QL, UK
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9
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Li MY, Kang YH, Sun WC, Hao ZP, Elsheikha HM, Cong W. Terrestrial runoff influences the transport and contamination levels of Toxoplasma gondii in marine organisms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:158168. [PMID: 35988599 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158168] [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: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing concern regarding the potential adverse impact of Toxoplasma gondii contamination of the marine environment on marine wildlife and public health. Terrestrial runoff is a significant route for dissemination of T. gondii oocysts from land to sea. Yet, the influence of terrestrial runoff on T. gondii prevalence in marine animals in China is largely unknown. To address this concern, we examined the presence of T. gondii in marine oysters Crassostrea spp., rockfish Sebastes schlegelii (S. schlegelii), fat greenling fish Hexagrammos otakii (H. otakii), and Asian paddle crab Charybdis japonica (C. japonica) using a PCR assay targeting T. gondii B1 gene. A total of 1920 samples were randomly collected, in Jan-Dec 2020, from terrestrial runoff areas (TRA, TRB, and TRC) and non-terrestrial runoff area (Grape bay) in Weihai, China. T. gondii prevalence in TRB and TRC was 6.04 % and 5.83 %, respectively, which was higher than 2.29 % detected in the non-terrestrial runoff area. The highest prevalence was detected in Crassostrea spp., and a correlation was observed between T. gondii prevalence and weight of Crassostrea spp. The temperature, but not precipitation, significantly correlated with T. gondii prevalence. Understanding the fate of T. gondii delivered to oceans by terrestrial runoff is critical for predicting future disease risks for marine wildlife and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man-Yao Li
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong 264209, PR China
| | - Yuan-Huan Kang
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong 264209, PR China
| | - Wen-Chao Sun
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 32503, PR China
| | - Zhi-Peng Hao
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong 264209, PR China
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, United Kingdom.
| | - Wei Cong
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong 264209, PR China.
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10
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Leistenschneider C, Le Bohec C, Eisen O, Houstin A, Neff S, Primpke S, Zitterbart DP, Burkhardt-Holm P, Gerdts G. No evidence of microplastic ingestion in emperor penguin chicks (Aptenodytes forsteri) from the Atka Bay colony (Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:158314. [PMID: 36041615 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (<5 mm; MP) pollution has been an emerging threat for marine ecosystems around the globe with increasing evidence that even the world's most remote areas, including Antarctica, are no longer unaffected. Few studies however, have examined MP in Antarctic biota, and especially those from Antarctic regions with low human activity, meaning little is known about the extent to which biota are affected. The aim of this study was to investigate, for the first time, the occurrence of MP in the emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri), the only penguin species breeding around Antarctica during the austral winter, and an endemic apex predator in the Southern Ocean. To assess MP ingestion, the gizzards of 41 emperor penguin chicks from Atka Bay colony (Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica), were dissected and analyzed for MP >500 μm using Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier-transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. A total of 85 putative particles, mostly in the shape of fibers (65.9 %), were sorted. However, none of the particles were identified as MP applying state-of-the-art methodology. Sorted fibers were further evidenced to originate from contamination during sample processing and analyses. We find that MP concentrations in the local food web of the Weddell Sea and Dronning Maud Land coastal and marginal sea-ice regions; the feeding grounds to chick-rearing emperor penguin adults, are currently at such low levels that no detectable biomagnification is occurring via trophic transfer. Being in contrast to MP studies on other Antarctic and sub-Antarctic penguin species, our comparative discussion including these studies, highlights the importance for standardized procedures for sampling, sample processing and analyses to obtain comparable results. We further discuss other stomach contents and their potential role for MP detection, as well as providing a baseline for the long-term monitoring of MP in apex predator species from this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Leistenschneider
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Man-Society-Environment Program, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, 4051 Basel, Switzerland; Department of Microbial Ecology, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Kurpromenade, 27498 Helgoland, Germany.
| | - Céline Le Bohec
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, IPHC UMR, 7178 Strasbourg, France; Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Département de Biologie Polaire, Monaco City, Monaco
| | - Olaf Eisen
- Glaciology, Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany and Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Aymeric Houstin
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, IPHC UMR, 7178 Strasbourg, France; Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Département de Biologie Polaire, Monaco City, Monaco
| | - Simon Neff
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Straße 47b, 50674 Cologne, Germany
| | - Sebastian Primpke
- Department of Microbial Ecology, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Kurpromenade, 27498 Helgoland, Germany
| | - Daniel P Zitterbart
- Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA; Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Patricia Burkhardt-Holm
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Man-Society-Environment Program, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gunnar Gerdts
- Department of Microbial Ecology, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Kurpromenade, 27498 Helgoland, Germany
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11
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Raya Rey A, Balza U, Domato I, Zunino F. New Magellanic penguin Spheniscus magellanicus colony in a subantarctic island. Polar Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-022-03093-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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12
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Lincoln S, Andrews B, Birchenough SNR, Chowdhury P, Engelhard GH, Harrod O, Pinnegar JK, Townhill BL. Marine litter and climate change: Inextricably connected threats to the world's oceans. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 837:155709. [PMID: 35525371 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The global issues of climate change and marine litter are interlinked and understanding these connections is key to managing their combined risks to marine biodiversity and ultimately society. For example, fossil fuel-based plastics cause direct emissions of greenhouse gases and therefore are an important contributing factor to climate change, while other impacts of plastics can manifest as alterations in key species and habitats in coastal and marine environments. Marine litter is acknowledged as a threat multiplier that acts with other stressors such as climate change to cause far greater damage than if they occurred in isolation. On the other hand, while climate change can lead to increased inputs of litter into the marine environment, the presence of marine litter can also undermine the climate resilience of marine ecosystems. There is increasing evidence that that climate change and marine litter are inextricably linked, although these interactions and the resulting effects vary widely across oceanic regions and depend on the particular characteristics of specific marine environments. Ecosystem resilience approaches, that integrate climate change with other local stressors, offer a suitable framework to incorporate the consideration of marine litter where that is deemed to be a risk, and to steer, coordinate and prioritise research and monitoring, as well as management, policy, planning and action to effectively tackle the combined risks and impacts from climate change and marine litter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Lincoln
- International Marine Climate Change Centre (iMC3), The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom.
| | - Barnaby Andrews
- International Marine Climate Change Centre (iMC3), The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - Silvana N R Birchenough
- International Marine Climate Change Centre (iMC3), The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - Piyali Chowdhury
- International Marine Climate Change Centre (iMC3), The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - Georg H Engelhard
- International Marine Climate Change Centre (iMC3), The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - Olivia Harrod
- International Marine Climate Change Centre (iMC3), The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - John K Pinnegar
- International Marine Climate Change Centre (iMC3), The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - Bryony L Townhill
- International Marine Climate Change Centre (iMC3), The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
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13
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Houstin A, Zitterbart DP, Heerah K, Eisen O, Planas-Bielsa V, Fabry B, Le Bohec C. Juvenile emperor penguin range calls for extended conservation measures in the Southern Ocean. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:211708. [PMID: 36061529 PMCID: PMC9428539 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.211708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
To protect the unique and rich biodiversity of the Southern Ocean, conservation measures such as marine protected areas (MPAs) have been implemented. Currently, the establishment of several additional protection zones is being considered based on the known habitat distributions of key species of the ecosystems including emperor penguins and other marine top predators. However, the distribution of such species at sea is often insufficiently sampled. Specifically, current distribution models focus on the habitat range of adult animals and neglect that immatures and juveniles can inhabit different areas. By tracking eight juvenile emperor penguins in the Weddell Sea over 1 year and performing a meta-analysis including previously known data from other colonies, we show that conservation efforts in the Southern Ocean are insufficient for protecting this highly mobile species, and particularly its juveniles. We find that juveniles spend approximately 90% of their time outside the boundaries of proposed and existing MPAs, and that their distribution extends beyond (greater than 1500 km) the species' extent of occurrence as defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Our data exemplify that strategic conservation plans for the emperor penguin and other long-lived ecologically important species should consider the dynamic habitat range of all age classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aymeric Houstin
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Département de Biologie Polaire, Monaco 98000, Principality of Monaco
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, Strasbourg F-67000, France
| | - Daniel P. Zitterbart
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany
- Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Karine Heerah
- Zoophysiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus C 8000, Denmark
| | - Olaf Eisen
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven 27570, Germany
- Fachbereich Geowissenschaften, Universität Bremen, Bremen 28359, Germany
| | - Víctor Planas-Bielsa
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Département de Biologie Polaire, Monaco 98000, Principality of Monaco
| | - Ben Fabry
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Céline Le Bohec
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Département de Biologie Polaire, Monaco 98000, Principality of Monaco
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, Strasbourg F-67000, France
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14
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Important marine areas for endangered African penguins before and after the crucial stage of moulting. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9489. [PMID: 35676286 PMCID: PMC9177839 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12969-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The population of the Endangered African penguin Spheniscus demersus has decreased by > 65% in the last 20 years. A major driver of this decrease has been the reduced availability of their principal prey, sardine Sardinops sagax and anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus. To date, conservation efforts to improve prey availability have focused on spatial management strategies to reduce resource competition with purse-seine fisheries during the breeding season. However, penguins also undergo an annual catastrophic moult when they are unable to feed for several weeks. Before moulting they must accumulate sufficient energy stores to survive this critical life-history stage. Using GPS tracking data collected between 2012 and 2019, we identify important foraging areas for pre- and post-moult African penguins at three of their major colonies in South Africa: Dassen Island and Stony Point (Western Cape) and Bird Island (Eastern Cape). The foraging ranges of pre- and post-moult adult African penguins (c. 600 km from colony) was far greater than that previously observed for breeding penguins (c. 50 km from colony) and varied considerably between sites, years and pre- and post-moult stages. Despite their more extensive range during the non-breeding season, waters within 20 and 50 km of their breeding colonies were used intensively and represent important foraging areas to pre- and post-moult penguins. Furthermore, penguins in the Western Cape travelled significantly further than those in the Eastern Cape which is likely a reflection of the poor prey availability along the west coast of South Africa. Our findings identify important marine areas for pre- and post-moult African penguins and support for the expansion of fisheries-related spatio-temporal management strategies to help conserve African penguins outside the breeding season.
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15
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Arkhipkin AI, Brickle P, Lee B, Shaw PW, McKeown NJ. Taxonomic re-appraisal for toothfish (Dissostichus: Notothenioidea) across the Antarctic Polar Front using genomic and morphological studies. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2022; 100:1158-1170. [PMID: 35174488 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The Patagonian toothfish, Dissostichus eleginoides, is one of the largest predatory fishes inhabiting Southern Ocean waters spanning the Antarctic Polar Front (APF), a prominent biogeographic boundary restricting gene flow and driving species divergence between Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters. In the light of emerging threats to toothfish conservation and sustainability, this study investigated genetic [mtDNA sequences and genome wide nuclear single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)] and morphological data to critically evaluate the taxonomic status of toothfish north (Chile and Patagonian shelf) and south (South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands) of the APF. mtDNA revealed reciprocally monophyletic lineages on either side of the APF with coalescent analysis indicating these diverged during the Pleistocene. Integration with data from other sources suggests the Chilean/Patagonian lineage is endemic. SNP analysis confirmed restricted nuclear gene flow between both groups and revealed a consensus suite of positive outlier SNPs compatible with adaptive divergence between these groups. Finally, several morphological features permit unequivocal assignment of individuals to either of the clades. Based on the genetic, phenotypic and ecological divergence, the authors propose that toothfish on either side of the APF be recognised as distinct species, with the name D. eleginoides used for toothfish occurring in South American waters north of the APF and toothfish south of the APF being classified using the new name D. australis reflecting their southern distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul Brickle
- South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute (SAERI), Stanley, Falkland Islands
| | - Brendon Lee
- Fisheries Department, Stanley, Falkland Islands
| | - Paul W Shaw
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK
| | - Niall J McKeown
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK
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16
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Bowen L, Waters S, Stott JL, Duncan A, Meyerson R, Woodhouse S. Baseline Gene Expression Levels in Falkland-Malvinas Island Penguins: Towards a New Monitoring Paradigm. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12020258. [PMID: 35207543 PMCID: PMC8880734 DOI: 10.3390/life12020258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Health diagnostics of wildlife have historically relied on the evaluation of select serum biomarkers and the identification of a contaminant or pathogen burden within specific tissues as an indicator of a level of insult. However, these approaches fail to measure the physiological reaction of the individual to stressors, thus limiting the scope of interpretation. Gene-based health diagnostics provide an opportunity for an alternate, whole-system, or holistic assessment of health, not only in individuals or populations but potentially in ecosystems. Seabirds are among the most threatened marine taxonomic groups in the world, with ~25% of this species currently listed as threatened or considered of special concern; among seabirds, the penguins (Family Spheniscidae) are the most threatened seabird Family. We used gene expression to develop baseline physiological indices for wild penguins in the Falkland-Malvinas Islands, and captive zoo penguins. We identified the almost complete statistical separation of penguin groups (gentoo Detroit Zoo, gentoo Falkland-Malvinas Islands, rockhopper Detroit Zoo, and rockhopper Falkland-Malvinas Islands) based on gene expression profiles. Implementation of long-term longitudinal studies would allow for the assessment of temporal increases or decreases of select transcripts and would facilitate interpretation of the drivers of change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizabeth Bowen
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-530-574-4353
| | - Shannon Waters
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
| | - Jeffrey L. Stott
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
| | - Ann Duncan
- Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48067, USA;
| | | | - Sarah Woodhouse
- Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, 3701 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68107, USA;
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17
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Johannessen JED, Biuw M, Lindstrøm U, Ollus VMS, Martín López LM, Gkikopoulou KC, Oosthuizen WC, Lowther A. Intra-season variations in distribution and abundance of humpback whales in the West Antarctic Peninsula using cruise vessels as opportunistic platforms. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8571. [PMID: 35154653 PMCID: PMC8826076 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Fine-scale knowledge of spatiotemporal dynamics in cetacean distribution and abundance throughout the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) is sparse yet essential for effective ecosystem-based management (EBM). Cruise vessels were used as platforms of opportunity to collect data on the distribution and abundance of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) during the austral summer of 2019/2020 in a region that is also important for the Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) fishery, to assess potential spatiotemporal interactions for future use in EBM. Data were analyzed using traditional design-based line transect methodology and spatial density surface hurdle models fitted using a set of physical environmental covariates to estimate the abundance and distribution of whales in the area, and to describe their temporal dynamics. Our results indicate a rapid increase in humpback whale abundance in the Bransfield and Gerlache Straits through December, reaching a stable abundance by mid-January. The distribution of humpback whales appeared to change from a patchier distribution in the northern Gerlache Strait to a significantly concentrated presence in the central Gerlache and southern Bransfield Straits, followed by a subsequent dispersion throughout the area. Abundance estimates agreed well with previous literature, increasing from approximately 7000 individuals in 2000 to a peak of 19,107 in 2020. Based on these estimates, we project a total krill consumption of between 1.4 and 3.7 million tons based on traditional and contemporary literature on per capita krill consumption of whales, respectively. When taken in the context of krill fishery catch data in the study area, we conclude that there is minimal spatiotemporal overlap between humpback whales and fishery activity during our study period of November-January. However, there is potential for significant interaction between the two later in the feeding season, but cetacean survey efforts need to be extended into late season in order to fully characterize this potential overlap.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ulf Lindstrøm
- Department of Arctic BiologyThe Arctic University of TromsøTromsøNorway
- Institute of Marine ResearchTromsøNorway
| | | | | | - Kalliopi C. Gkikopoulou
- Sea Mammal Research UnitSchool of BiologyScottish Ocean InstituteUniversity of St AndrewsSt AndrewsUK
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18
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FONZO CARLADI, ANSALDO MARTIN. Blood biochemistry and antioxidant status altered by anthropogenic impact in Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae). AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2022; 94:e20210579. [DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202220210579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- CARLA DI FONZO
- Laboratorio de Ecofisiología y Ecotoxicología, Argentina
| | - MARTIN ANSALDO
- Laboratorio de Ecofisiología y Ecotoxicología, Argentina
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19
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Abstract
AbstractThe transformation of ecosystems proceeds at unprecedented rates. Recent studies suggest that high rates of environmental change can cause rate-induced tipping. In ecological models, the associated rate-induced critical transition manifests during transient dynamics in which populations drop to dangerously low densities. In this work, we study how indirect evolutionary rescue—due to the rapid evolution of a predator’s trait—can save a prey population from the rate-induced collapse. Therefore, we explicitly include the time-dependent dynamics of environmental change and evolutionary adaptation in an eco-evolutionary system. We then examine how fast the evolutionary adaptation needs to be to counteract the response to environmental degradation and express this relationship by means of a critical rate. Based on this critical rate, we conclude that indirect evolutionary rescue is more probable if the predator population possesses a high genetic variation and, simultaneously, the environmental change is slow. Hence, our results strongly emphasize that the maintenance of biodiversity requires a deceleration of the anthropogenic degradation of natural habitats.
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20
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Colombelli-Négrel D, Katsis AC. Little penguins are more aggressive on islands that experience greater unregulated human disturbance. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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21
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Sparaventi E, Rodríguez-Romero A, Barbosa A, Ramajo L, Tovar-Sánchez A. Trace elements in Antarctic penguins and the potential role of guano as source of recycled metals in the Southern Ocean. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 285:131423. [PMID: 34329144 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Penguins dominate the Antarctic avifauna. As key animals in the Antarctic ecosystem, they are monitored to evaluate the ecological status of this pristine and remote region and specifically, they have been used as effective bioindicators suitable for long-term monitoring of metals in the Antarctic environment. However, studies about the role of this emblematic organism could play in the recycling of trace metals (TMs) in the Antarctic ecosystem are very limited. In this study we evaluate, using the peer review research articles already published and our own findings, the distribution of metals (i.e., Ca, Fe, Al, Na, Zn, Mg, Cu, K, Cd, Mn, Sr, Cr, Ni, Pb, Hg, V, Ba, Co, La, Ag, Rb, Hf, Sc, Au and Cs) and metalloids (As and Sb), measured in different biotic matrices, with emphasis on guano, of the Chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarcticus), Adélie (Pygoscelis adeliae) and Gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) penguins. Regarding bioactive metals, the high concentrations (μg g-1 dry weight) of Cu (2.0 ± 1.4) x 102, Fe (4.1 ± 2.9) x 102, Mn (30 ± 34) and Zn (210 ± 90) reported in the guano from all the penguin species studied including our data, are of the same order of magnitude as those reported for whale feces (μg g-1 dry weight): Cu (2.9 ± 2.4) x 102, Fe (1.5 ± 1.4) x 102, Mn (28 ± 17) and Zn (6.2 ± 4.3) x 102, and one order of magnitude higher than the metal contents in krill (μg g-1 dry weight) of Cu (10.2 ± 5.5), Fe (24 ± 29) and Zn (13.5 ± 1.7). This suggest that penguin's excretion products could be an important source of these essential elements in the surface water, with an estimated annual release on a breeding season for Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn respectively of 28, 56, 4 and 29 tons, for the Chinstrap, Adélie and Gentoo penguins. The results provide evidence on the potential influence of penguins recycling TMs in the surface layer of the water column.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Sparaventi
- Department of Ecology and Coastal Management, Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia, ICMAN (CSIC), Campus Río San Pedro, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.
| | - Araceli Rodríguez-Romero
- Department of Analytical Chemistry. Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cádiz, Campus Río San Pedro, Puerto Real, 11510, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Andrés Barbosa
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, C/Jose Gutierrez Abascal, 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Ramajo
- Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Avenida Ossandón 877, Coquimbo, Chile; Departamento de Biología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte (UCN), Coquimbo, Chile; Centro de Ciencia del Clima y la Resiliencia (CR)(2), Universidad de Chile, Chile
| | - Antonio Tovar-Sánchez
- Department of Ecology and Coastal Management, Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia, ICMAN (CSIC), Campus Río San Pedro, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
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22
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Long-term population size and trends of South Georgia Shags (Leucocarbo [atriceps] georgianus) at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands and Bird Island, South Georgia. Polar Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-021-02978-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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23
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Frugone MJ, Cole TL, López ME, Clucas G, Matos‐Maraví P, Lois NA, Pistorius P, Bonadonna F, Trathan P, Polanowski A, Wienecke B, Raya‐Rey A, Pütz K, Steinfurth A, Bi K, Wang‐Claypool CY, Waters JM, Bowie RCK, Poulin E, Vianna JA. Taxonomy based on limited genomic markers may underestimate species diversity of rockhopper penguins and threaten their conservation. DIVERS DISTRIB 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- María José Frugone
- Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas Facultad de Ciencias Universidad de Chile Santiago Chile
- Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad (IEB) Santiago Chile
- Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y EvolutivasFacultad de CienciasUniversidad Austral de Chile Valdivia Chile
| | - Theresa L. Cole
- Department of Zoology University of Otago Dunedin New Zealand
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Evolution University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - María Eugenia López
- Department of Aquatic Resources Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Drottningholm Sweden
| | - Gemma Clucas
- Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future Cornell University Ithaca NY USA
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology Cornell University Ithaca NY USA
| | - Pável Matos‐Maraví
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of SciencesInstitute of Entomology České Budějovice Czech Republic
| | - Nicolás A. Lois
- Departamento de Ecología Genética y Evolución Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales Universidad de Buenos Aires Buenos Aires Argentina
- Instituto de Ecología Genética y Evolución de Buenos AiresConsejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Pierre Pistorius
- DST/NRF Centre of Excellence at the Percy FitzPatrick Institute for African Ornithology Department of Zoology Nelson Mandela University Port Elizabeth South Africa
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrea Raya‐Rey
- Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CADIC‐CONICET) Ushuaia Argentina
- Wildlife Conservation Society Bronx NY USA
- Instituto de Ciencias Polares, Ambiente y Recursos NaturalesUniversidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego Ushuaia Argentina
| | | | - Antje Steinfurth
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology University of Cape Town Rondebosch South Africa
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science Cambridge UK
| | - Ke Bi
- Museum of Vertebrate Zoology and Department of Integrative Biology University of California Berkeley CA USA
| | - Cynthia Y. Wang‐Claypool
- Museum of Vertebrate Zoology and Department of Integrative Biology University of California Berkeley CA USA
| | | | - Rauri C. K. Bowie
- Museum of Vertebrate Zoology and Department of Integrative Biology University of California Berkeley CA USA
| | - Elie Poulin
- Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas Facultad de Ciencias Universidad de Chile Santiago Chile
- Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad (IEB) Santiago Chile
| | - Juliana A. Vianna
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de ChileCenter for Genome RegulationFacultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería ForestalDepartamento de Ecosistemas y Medio Ambiente Santiago Chile
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Fragão J, Bessa F, Otero V, Barbosa A, Sobral P, Waluda CM, Guímaro HR, Xavier JC. Microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in Antarctica: Using penguins as biological samplers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 788:147698. [PMID: 34134362 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (< 5 mm in size) are known to be widespread in the marine environment but are still poorly studied in Polar Regions, particularly in the Antarctic. As penguins have a wide distribution around Antarctica, three congeneric species: Adélie (Pygoscelis adeliae), chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarcticus) and gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) were selected to evaluate the occurrence of microplastics across the Antarctic Peninsula and Scotia Sea. Scat samples (used as a proxy of ingestion), were collected from breeding colonies over seven seasons between 2006 and 2016. Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), present in scat samples, contributed 85%, 66% and 54% of the diet in terms of frequency of occurrence to the diet of Adélie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins, respectively. Microplastics were found in 15%, 28% and 29% scats of Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguin respectively. A total of 92 particles were extracted from the scats (n = 317) and 32% (n = 29) were chemically identified via micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (μ-FTIR). From all the particles extracted, 35% were identified as microplastics, particularly polyethylene (80%) and polyester (10%). It was not possible to ascertain the identification of the remaining 10% of samples. Other anthropogenic particles were identified in 55% of samples, identified as cellulose fibres. The results show a similar frequency of occurrence of particles across all colonies, suggesting there is no particular point source for microplastic pollution in the Scotia Sea. Additionally, no clear temporal variation in the number of microplastics in penguins was observed. Overall, this study reveals the presence of microplastics across Antarctica, in three penguin species and offers evidence of other anthropogenic particles in high numbers. Further research is needed to better understand the spatio-temporal dynamics, fate and effect of microplastics on these ecosystems, and improve plastic pollution policies in Antarctica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Fragão
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Filipa Bessa
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Vanessa Otero
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Conservation and Restoration, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Monte da Caparica, Portugal; VICARTE, Department of Conservation and Restoration, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Monte da Caparica, Portugal
| | - Andrés Barbosa
- Departamento de Ecologia Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula Sobral
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Monte da Caparica, Portugal
| | - Claire M Waluda
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
| | - Hugo R Guímaro
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José C Xavier
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
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25
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Abstract
Oil spills are rare in Antarctica. They threaten flying birds and penguins. This is the first report on the interactions of seabirds with oil in the area of the Mirny Station (East Antarctica). The purpose of the study is to determine the total number of seabird species interacting with oil in and around the Mirny Station, to assess the extent of pollution and to identify the most important sites of interactions. Oil pollution is found on the ground, on the continental ice and, on the seawater surface, both directly in the Mirny and beyond. Five species of seabirds were in contact with oil. Oil pollution threats have been identified for breeding and molting Adélie Penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) and vagrant Macaroni Penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus). Less affected by oil pollution during the breeding season were tube-nosed bird species and skuas. The most important places of interaction of seabirds with oil are at Cape Mabus, on the islands of Zykov, Tokarev, and Stroiteley. Evidence of long-term oil pollution of the environment is indicative of the chronic nature of the impacts on the coastal ecosystem.
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26
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Pütz K, Gherardi-Fuentes C, García-Borboroglu P, Godoy C, Flagg M, Pedrana J, Vianna JA, Simeone A, Lüthi B. Exceptional foraging plasticity in King Penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) from a recently established breeding site in Tierra del Fuego, Chile. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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27
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Sandfoss MR, McCue MD, Lillywhite HB. Trophic niche and home range of an insular pit viper following loss of food resources. J Zool (1987) 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. R. Sandfoss
- Department of Conservation and Research Memphis Zoo Memphis TN USA
| | - M. D. McCue
- Sable Systems International Las Vegas NV USA
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28
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Pitfalls and advances in morphometric sexing: insights from the Adélie penguin Pygoscelis adeliae. Polar Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-021-02893-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
AbstractSexing weakly/criptically dimorphic birds requires invasive techniques or molecular analysis. Alternatively, sexing can be based upon morphometric analysis, which remains invaluable in remote field conditions such as Polar regions. Nevertheless, discriminatory power may be affected by methodological issues hampering comparison between/within studies, e.g. considering alternative analytical techniques or measurements taken by different researchers. We investigated the sexing potential of bill length, bill depth and body mass in adult Adélie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae of known sex. We performed discriminant analysis on a large dataset of measurements (237 males; 264 females) taken from penguins marked between 1994 and 2001, at Edmonson Point (Ross Sea, Antarctica). In a second step, we accounted for measurements collected by different researchers through permuted discriminant analysis. We found moderate support for sex discrimination through bill measurements (77%). Considering body mass did not improve classification power substantially (78.2%), possibly because of confounding inter/intra-annual oscillations in body condition. Discriminant rate decreased when controlling the researcher effect (72.7% and 71.4%, respectively). Results were also confirmed by logistic (mixed) models. Simulations showed that reduction in sample size markedly increased uncertainty in classification power. Differences with previous studies achieving a slightly greater classification power for sexing Adélie penguins through morphometrics could be related to (i) our higher sample size and/or (ii) geographical, population-specific differences, e.g. lower degree of sexual dimorphism. Our work emphasises key-factors influencing performance of morphometric sexing in avian species, advocating population-specific validation with large sample size as well as the necessity to account for the researcher effect prior to apply morphometric sexing.
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29
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Freire R, Massaro M, McDonald S, Trathan P, Nicol CJ. A Citizen Science Trial to Assess Perception of Wild Penguin Welfare. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:698685. [PMID: 34386538 PMCID: PMC8353176 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.698685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild penguins are facing increased threats to their populations and their welfare as a consequence of human activities. Understanding the perception of animal welfare is essential to identify ethical concerns related to the negative impact of anthropogenic factors on wild species and to guide conservation efforts that reflect societal values. Since penguin conservation is of general interest, we examined the human dimension of welfare assessment across a range of interest groups concerned with penguins, seabird biology and wildlife conservation. We provided participants with a Penguin Welfare Assessment Tool (PWAT) based on the five domains model. The PWAT supports consideration of the impact of four physical aspects on welfare-relevant mental states. Bibliometric analysis of keywords from 347 scientific articles indicated that penguins around the world face five main types (themes) of anthropogenic factors and we then developed five hypothetical scenarios, each related to one theme. Seventy-five participants scored the overall impact of the events described in the scenarios on penguin welfare as negative using the PWAT. Participants rated short-duration, high-intensity events (i.e., being trapped in a ghost fishing net) as having a significantly more severe impact on penguin welfare than low-intensity, long-duration events (P < 0.0001). Scores provided by participants for each domain for each scenario were largely as expected and we found good correlation (all P < 0.0001) between the physical domains and “mental state” for all scenarios, indicating that the tool was facilitating the participants' assessment of welfare. No evidence was found that experience of working or studying penguins, or indeed any other demographic factor investigated, influenced the assessments of welfare. We found little agreement between participants in the scores provided (unalike scores mostly between 0.7 and 0.8), and agreement between participants with experience of working with penguins was no better than between participants without such experience. We discuss the possibility that low agreement within different interest groups may be improved by providing more scientific information to support the evaluation of penguin welfare. We conclude that scientific knowledge of penguin biological responses to anthropogenic factors is vital to support the evaluation of wild penguin welfare by the public and other stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Freire
- Institute for Land, Water and Society, School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, Australia
| | - Melanie Massaro
- Institute for Land, Water and Society, School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, Australia
| | - Simon McDonald
- Spatial Data Analysis Unit, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Christine J Nicol
- Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
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30
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Population decline of the cape petrel (Daption capense) on King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Polar Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-021-02914-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe Antarctic and the surrounding Southern Ocean are currently subject to rapid environmental changes and increasing anthropogenic impacts. Seabird populations often reflect those changes and so act as indicators of environmental variability. Their population trends may provide information on a variety of environmental parameters on the scale of years or decades. We therefore provide long-term data on the cape petrel (Daption capense) population from a long-term monitoring program on Fildes Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Maritime Antarctic, an area of considerable human activity. Our data, covering a period of 36 years, indicate some variability, but no clear trend in the number of breeding pairs between the breeding seasons 1985 and 2006. However, beginning in the 2008 season, the population decreased significantly and reached a minimum in the 2020 season. The mean annual decrease between 2008 and 2020 was 10.6%. We discuss possible causes of this strong negative population trend. Anthropogenic disturbance only affects a few breeding sites in the area and is therefore unable, on its own, to explain the consistent population decline at all the breeding sites studied. We think it more likely that reduced food availability was the main cause of the drastic decline in the cape petrel population.
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31
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Southwell C, Wotherspoon S, Emmerson L. Emerging evidence of resource limitation in an Antarctic seabird metapopulation after 6 decades of sustained population growth. Oecologia 2021; 196:693-705. [PMID: 34109449 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-021-04958-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The influence of resource limitation on spatio-temporal population dynamics is a fundamental theme in ecology and the concepts of carrying capacity, density dependence and population synchrony are central to this theme. The life history characteristics of seabirds, which include use of disjunct patches of breeding habitat, high coloniality during breeding, strong philopatry, and central-place foraging, make this group well suited to studying this paradigm. Here, we investigate whether density-dependent processes are starting to limit population growth in the Adélie penguin metapopulation breeding in the Windmill Islands, East Antarctica, after 6 decades of growth. Our finding that the regional growth rate has slowed in recent decades, and that growth is slowing differentially across local populations as availability of breeding habitat and possibly food resources decrease, supports the notion of density-dependent regulation. Our observation of the first new colonisation of a breeding patch in a half-century of population growth by this highly philopatric species is further evidence for this. Given these emerging patterns of spatio-temporal population dynamics, this metapopulation may be at a point where the rate of change in density-dependent processes and rare events such as colonisations accelerates into the future, potentially providing new insights into spatio-temporal metapopulation dynamics of a long-lived species over a short time-frame. Continued long-term study of populations experiencing these circumstances provides an opportunity to expedite advances in understanding metapopulation processes. Our study highlights the importance of spatial heterogeneity and the mosaic of abiotic and biotic features of landscapes and seascapes in shaping species' metapopulation dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Southwell
- Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Australian Antarctic Division, Channel Highway, Kingston, TAS, 7050, Australia.
| | - Simon Wotherspoon
- Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Australian Antarctic Division, Channel Highway, Kingston, TAS, 7050, Australia.,Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, 20 Castray Esplanade, Battery Point, TAS, 7004, Australia
| | - Louise Emmerson
- Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Australian Antarctic Division, Channel Highway, Kingston, TAS, 7050, Australia
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32
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Alden B, Heezik Y, Seddon PJ, Reid J, Young MJ. Fat chance? Endangered penguin rehabilitation has mixed conservation outcomes. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bryony Alden
- Department of Zoology University of Otago Dunedin New Zealand
| | - Yolanda Heezik
- Department of Zoology University of Otago Dunedin New Zealand
| | | | - Julia Reid
- Penguin Place Conservation Reserve Dunedin New Zealand
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33
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Hayer J, Wille M, Font A, González-Aravena M, Norder H, Malmberg M. Four novel picornaviruses detected in Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) in Chile. Virology 2021; 560:116-123. [PMID: 34058706 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2021.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Members of the Picornaviridae family comprise a significant burden on the poultry industry, causing diseases such as gastroenteritis and hepatitis. However, with the advent of metagenomics, a number of picornaviruses have now been revealed in apparently healthy wild birds. In this study, we identified four novel viruses belonging to the family Picornaviridae in healthy Magellanic penguins, a near threatened species. All samples were subsequently screened by RT-PCR for these new viruses, and approximately 20% of the penguins were infected with at least one of these viruses. The viruses were distantly related to members of the genera Hepatovirus, Tremovirus, Gruhelivirus and Crahelvirus. Further, they had more than 60% amino acid divergence from other picornaviruses, and therefore likely constitute novel genera. Our results demonstrate the vast undersampling of wild birds for viruses, and we expect the discovery of numerous avian viruses that are related to hepatoviruses and tremoviruses in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Hayer
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Michelle Wille
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, At the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alejandro Font
- nstituto Antártico Chileno, Plaza Muñoz Gamero, 1055, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | | | - Helene Norder
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maja Malmberg
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
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34
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Dunn MJ, Adlard S, Taylor AP, Wood AG, Trathan PN, Ratcliffe N. Un-crewed aerial vehicle population survey of three sympatrically breeding seabird species at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands. Polar Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-021-02831-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
AbstractSurveying seabirds in polar latitudes can be challenging due to sparse human populations, lack of infrastructure and the risk of disturbance to wildlife or damage to habitats. Counting populations using un-crewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) is a promising approach to overcoming these difficulties. However, a careful validation of the approach is needed to ensure comparability with counts collected using conventional methods. Here, we report on surveys of three Antarctic bird species breeding on Signy Island, South Orkney Islands; Chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarctica) and Gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) Penguins, and the South Georgia Shag (Leucocarbo atriceps georgianus). We show that images from low-altitude UAV surveys have sufficient resolution to allow separation of Chinstrap Penguins from contiguously breeding Adélie Penguins (Pygoscelis adéliae), which are very similar in appearance when viewed from overhead. We compare data from ground counts with manual counts of nesting birds on images collected simultaneously by low-altitude aerial photography from multi-rotor UAVs at the same colonies. Results at this long-term monitoring site confirmed a continued population decline for Chinstrap Penguins and increasing Gentoo Penguin population. Although both methods provided breeding pair counts that were generally within ~ 5%, there were significant differences at some locations. We examine these differences in order to highlight potential biases or methodological constraints that should be considered when analysing similar aerial census surveys and comparing them with ground counts.
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35
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Scheun J, Ludynia K, Snyman A, Ganswindt A. Non-invasive hormone monitoring as a robust method for determining adrenocortical activity in injured, emaciated and oil-contaminated African penguins undergoing rehabilitation. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 303:113703. [PMID: 33359663 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Anthropogenic activity is a major driver of seabird injury and mortality in the 21st century. Although most seabirds perish within the natural environment as a result of human activities, some are rescued and admitted to rehabilitation centres. Despite the considerable number of admissions, little is known regarding the physiological response seabirds have to specific admission reasons and the rehabilitation process. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of injury, emaciation, oiling, individual removal from the natural environment and the rehabilitation process on the physiological stress response of the African penguin (Spheniscus demersus). Urofaecal samples were collected from African penguins throughout a three-stage rehabilitation process and quantified for glucocorticoid metabolites (ufGCM). The three stages included an initial ICU crate stage (Stage 1), an ICU pen stage (Stage 2) and a rehabilitation stage (Stage 3). Data were analysed using a generalised linear model in order to determine the effect of admission reason, age and rehabilitation stage (Stage 1, 2 and 3) on ufGCM levels. Although the model indicated that only Stage 1 was a significant driver of adrenocortical activity in the study population, ufGCM levels of injured and emaciated animals within Stage 1 were considerably higher than those of birds with any other admission reason across all stages. This is the first study examining the causes and effect of rehabilitation on the physiological stress response in African penguins. Enhanced care and attention should be given to rescued individuals, especially during the first stage of rehabilitation, to reduce perception of additional stressors and thus increase the chance of full recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Scheun
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, South Africa; National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - K Ludynia
- Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - A Snyman
- Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - A Ganswindt
- National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa; Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
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36
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Carravieri A, Warner NA, Herzke D, Brault-Favrou M, Tarroux A, Fort J, Bustamante P, Descamps S. Trophic and fitness correlates of mercury and organochlorine compound residues in egg-laying Antarctic petrels. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 193:110518. [PMID: 33245882 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the drivers and effects of exposure to contaminants such as mercury (Hg) and organochlorine compounds (OCs) in Antarctic wildlife is still limited. Yet, Hg and OCs have known physiological and fitness effects in animals, with consequences on their populations. Here we measured total Hg (a proxy of methyl-Hg) in blood cells and feathers, and 12 OCs (seven polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs, and five organochlorine pesticides, OCPs) in plasma of 30 breeding female Antarctic petrels Thalassoica antarctica from one of the largest colonies in Antarctica (Svarthamaren, Dronning Maud Land). This colony is declining and there is poor documentation on the potential role played by contaminants on individual physiology and fitness. Carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope values measured in the females' blood cells and feathers served as proxies of their feeding ecology during the pre-laying (austral spring) and moulting (winter) periods, respectively. We document feather Hg concentrations (mean ± SD, 2.41 ± 0.83 μg g-1 dry weight, dw) for the first time in this species. Blood cell Hg concentrations (1.38 ± 0.43 μg g-1 dw) were almost twice as high as those reported in a recent study, and increased with pre-laying trophic position (blood cell δ15N). Moulting trophic ecology did not predict blood Hg concentrations. PCB concentrations were very low (Σ7PCBs, 0.35 ± 0.31 ng g-1 wet weight, ww). Among OCPs, HCB (1.02 ± 0.36 ng g-1 ww) and p, p'-DDE (1.02 ± 1.49 ng g-1 ww) residues were comparable to those of ecologically-similar polar seabirds, while Mirex residues (0.72 ± 0.35 ng g-1 ww) were higher. PCB and OCP concentrations showed no clear relationship with pre-laying or moulting feeding ecology, indicating that other factors overcome dietary drivers. OC residues were inversely related to body condition, suggesting stronger release of OCs into the circulation of egg-laying females upon depletion of their lipid reserves. Egg volume, hatching success, chick body condition and survival were not related to maternal Hg or OC concentrations. Legacy contaminant exposure does not seem to represent a threat for the breeding fraction of this population over the short term. Yet, exposure to contaminants, especially Mirex, and other concurring environmental stressors should be monitored over the long-term in this declining population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Carravieri
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS- La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, La Rochelle, 17000, France.
| | - Nicholas A Warner
- NILU-Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, Tromsø, NO-9296, Norway; UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, Hansine Hansens veg 18, Tromsø, 9037, Norway
| | - Dorte Herzke
- NILU-Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, Tromsø, NO-9296, Norway; UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, Hansine Hansens veg 18, Tromsø, 9037, Norway
| | - Maud Brault-Favrou
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS- La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, La Rochelle, 17000, France
| | - Arnaud Tarroux
- NINA-Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Fram Centre, Tromsø, NO-9296, Norway
| | - Jérôme Fort
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS- La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, La Rochelle, 17000, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS- La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, La Rochelle, 17000, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 Rue Descartes, Paris, 75005, France
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37
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Cephalopods habitat and trophic ecology: historical data using snares penguin as biological sampler. Polar Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-020-02776-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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38
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Valdivia A, Ortega KJ, Bhattacharya SK, Cray C. Capillary Electrophoresis Assessment of Plasma Protein Changes in an African Penguin ( Spheniscus demersus) With Aspergillosis. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:33280-33289. [PMID: 33403290 PMCID: PMC7774288 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c04983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
A decrease of avian biodiversity in the African continent has been the result of anthropogenic pressure in the region. This has resulted in the African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) being placed on the endangered species list and requires conservation efforts to maintain its free-ranging population and placement under managed care. In the latter environment, infection by Aspergillus fumigatus can be common. The diagnosis and treatment of this fungal disease in birds has presented with many difficulties, largely due to the diversity and limited knowledge that exists about this species. In this study, we implement a high-resolution capillary electrophoresis system for the fractionation of African penguin plasma, followed by mass spectrometry analysis for the identification of proteins associated with aspergillosis. Several protein differences were revealed, including changes in acute phase proteins and lipid metabolism. In addition, our results demonstrated that fibrinogen β chain is a protein largely present during the inflammatory process in an African penguin infected with A. fumigatus. These findings present a new avenue for the measurement of plasma proteins as a potential method for identifying important biomarkers to aid in monitoring African penguin health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anddre
Osmar Valdivia
- Bascom
Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
- Neuroscience
Graduate Program, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
- Miami
Integrative Metabolomics Research Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Kristen Jasmin Ortega
- Bascom
Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
- Miami
Integrative Metabolomics Research Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Sanjoy K. Bhattacharya
- Bascom
Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
- Miami
Integrative Metabolomics Research Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Carolyn Cray
- Miami
Integrative Metabolomics Research Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
- Division
of Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology & Laboratory
Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
- . Tel.: (305) 243-6700. Fax: (305) 243-5662
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Sánchez-Sarmiento AM, Ruoppolo V, Muelbert MM, Ferreira Neto JS, Catão-Dias JL. Serological screening for Brucella spp. and Leptospira spp. antibodies in southern elephant seals Mirounga leonina from Elephant Island, Antarctica, in 2003 and 2004. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2020; 142:161-170. [PMID: 33331283 DOI: 10.3354/dao03548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Brucella spp. and Leptospira spp. antibodies were surveyed in 35 southern elephant seals (SESs) Mirounga leonina at Elephant Island (South Shetland Islands), western Antarctic peninsula, in the Austral summer of 2003 and 2004. The rose Bengal test and a commercial competitive ELISA (c-ELISA) were used to detect Brucella spp. exposure, and the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) with 22 live serovars was used to determine anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies. We found evidence of Brucella spp. exposure in 3 of 35 (8.6%) SESs tested via the c-ELISA displaying high percentage inhibition (PI), similar to other studies in pinnipeds in which Brucella spp. antibodies have been determined. Two of the 3 positives were pups (PI = 70.4 and 86.6%), while the third was an adult female (PI = 48.8%). The 3 c-ELISA positive SESs were additionally tested via the serum agglutination test but were found to be negative. All individuals were negative for antibodies against 22 Leptospira spp. serovars by MAT. These results contribute to the knowledge and monitoring of zoonotic pathogens with epizootic potential in Southern Ocean pinnipeds. Given the potential impact that pathogens may have on the abundance of wild (sometimes threatened and endangered) populations, constant monitoring and surveillance are required to prevent pathogen spread, particularly under forecast climate change scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angélica Maria Sánchez-Sarmiento
- Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
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40
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Sun Y, Lu Z, Xiao K, Zeng L, Wang J, Gabrielsen GW. Antarctic Adélie penguin feathers as bio-indicators of geographic and temporal variations in heavy metal concentrations in their habitats. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 206:111135. [PMID: 32866890 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111135] [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: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Seabird feathers are effective indicators of heavy metal contamination. To propose a biological detection method suitable for the long-term monitoring of heavy metals in the Antarctic environment, eight heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in Adélie penguin feathers from different body parts, years, and molting grounds in the Antarctic were investigated in this study. It is found that the concentrations of heavy metals in the feathers showed differences among the body part of origin. The levels of the eight elements in the abdomen and back feathers were approximately the same, but some elements of them were significantly higher than those in the tail feathers. The Hg and Cd concentrations in the abdomen and back feathers increased from root to tip, regardless of the sampling year or molting ground. Based on a structural analysis of the feathers, Hg and Cd were mainly distributed in the feather vane rather than the shaft. The methylmercury content accounted for 83%-97% of the total mercury content in all feather samples, regardless of location, year, or body part, thereby supporting the assumption that mercury entering the feather was predominantly methylated and indicating that a relatively toxic form of Hg is excreted through the feathers. The heavy metals in feathers from the same molting ground showed significant differences over the sampling years. The average concentrations of As, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn increased significantly from 2015 to 2019, whereas those of Cd, Hg, and Pb tended to decrease. The concentrations of the eight elements in Adélie feathers from three molting grounds varied greatly, possibly in relation to their living areas and dietary structures. Feathers from the Ross Sea site had the highest Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, and Zn concentrations, the highest As and Cr concentrations were detected in feathers from the Zhongshan site, and feathers from the Great Wall site showed higher Pb concentrations than those from the other two sites. This study established a long-term, nondestructive, and efficient method for monitoring heavy metal contamination in the polar environment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yayue Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Zhibo Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Kaiyan Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Lingyun Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Juan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
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Steinfurth A, Oppel S, Dias MP, Starnes T, Pearmain EJ, Dilley BJ, Davies D, Nydegger M, Bell C, Le Bouard F, Bond AL, Cuthbert RJ, Glass T, Makhado AB, Crawford RJM, Ryan PG, Wanless RM, Ratcliffe N. Important marine areas for the conservation of northern rockhopper penguins within the Tristan da Cunha Exclusive Economic Zone. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2020. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The designation of Marine Protected Areas has become an important approach to conserving marine ecosystems that relies on robust information on the spatial distribution of biodiversity. We used GPS tracking data to identify marine Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) for the Endangered northern rockhopper penguin Eudyptes moseleyi within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic. Penguins were tracked throughout their breeding season from 3 of the 4 main islands in the Tristan da Cunha group. Foraging trips remained largely within the EEZ, with the exception of those from Gough Island during the incubation stage. We found substantial variability in trip duration and foraging range among breeding stages and islands, consistent use of areas among years and spatial segregation of the areas used by neighbouring islands. For colonies with no or insufficient tracking data, we defined marine IBAs based on the mean maximum foraging range and merged the areas identified to propose IBAs around the Tristan da Cunha archipelago and Gough Island. The 2 proposed marine IBAs encompass 2% of Tristan da Cunha’s EEZ, and are used by all northern rockhopper penguins breeding in the Tristan da Cunha group, representing ~90% of the global population. Currently, one of the main threats to northern rockhopper penguins within the Tristan da Cunha EEZ is marine pollution from shipping, and the risk of this would be reduced by declaring waters within 50 nautical miles of the coast as ‘areas to be avoided’.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Steinfurth
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa
| | - S Oppel
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK
| | - MP Dias
- BirdLife International, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Center, ISPA - Instituto Universitário, 1100-304 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - T Starnes
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK
| | - EJ Pearmain
- BirdLife International, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK
| | - BJ Dilley
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa
| | - D Davies
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa
| | - M Nydegger
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK
| | - C Bell
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK
| | - F Le Bouard
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK
| | - AL Bond
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK
- Bird Group, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Tring, HP23 6AP, UK
| | - RJ Cuthbert
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK
- World Land Trust, Blyth House, Bridge Street, Halesworth, IP19 8AB, UK
| | - T Glass
- Tristan Conservation Department, Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, Tristan da Cunha, TDCU 1ZZ, South Atlantic
| | - AB Makhado
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa
- Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, PO Box 52126, Cape Town 8000, South Africa
| | - RJM Crawford
- Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, PO Box 52126, Cape Town 8000, South Africa
| | - PG Ryan
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa
| | - RM Wanless
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa
- Institute of Marine Affairs and Resource Management, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, 20224, Taiwan
| | - N Ratcliffe
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
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42
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Mafunda PS, Maree L, Ganswindt A, Kotze A, van der Horst GV. Seasonal changes in reproductive anatomy and gonadal hormone concentrations of African penguins (Spheniscus demersus). Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 224:106664. [PMID: 33276291 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Several standard descriptions of the avian male and female reproductive tract have been reported, including effects of age, stage of reproductive maturity and gonadal hormone concentrations. Limited information on penguin reproductive biology and a lack of information on the African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) necessitated a detailed description of salient structural features of this species and provided an opportunity to evaluate seasonal changes in gonadal steroid hormone concentrations. Tissues from 36 males (adults and juveniles) and 29 females (adults and juveniles) were used for macro-anatomical descriptions and histology of the testes and ovaries. In addition, concentrations of gonadal steroid hormones for eight captive African penguins (four females and four males) were quantified during two breeding and one non-breeding season. The testes were asymmetrical, with the right testis having smaller dimensions compared to the left testis. Marked spermatogenic cellular associations and spermatid developmental stages were present in adult testes only during the breeding season. There was variation in the dimensions of the single ovary during follicular development related to the age and breeding status of the females. Testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and estradiol concentrations fluctuated during the breeding and non-breeding periods, with males and females having similar steroid concentrations. The results from this study confirm that the breeding status in African penguins can be deduced based on testicular and ovarian histological structures. The results from the present study focused on African penguin reproductive biology should be considered in management strategies for the conservation of the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Siyambulela Mafunda
- Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, 7535, South Africa; National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Liana Maree
- Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, 7535, South Africa; National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Andre Ganswindt
- National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa; Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotze
- National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa; Genetics Department, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
| | - Gerhard van van der Horst
- Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, 7535, South Africa; National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
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43
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Bestley S, Ropert-Coudert Y, Bengtson Nash S, Brooks CM, Cotté C, Dewar M, Friedlaender AS, Jackson JA, Labrousse S, Lowther AD, McMahon CR, Phillips RA, Pistorius P, Puskic PS, Reis AODA, Reisinger RR, Santos M, Tarszisz E, Tixier P, Trathan PN, Wege M, Wienecke B. Marine Ecosystem Assessment for the Southern Ocean: Birds and Marine Mammals in a Changing Climate. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.566936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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Groff DV, Hamley KM, Lessard TJR, Greenawalt KE, Yasuhara M, Brickle P, Gill JL. Seabird establishment during regional cooling drove a terrestrial ecosystem shift 5000 years ago. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:6/43/eabb2788. [PMID: 33097535 PMCID: PMC7608832 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abb2788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The coastal tussac (Poa flabellata) grasslands of the Falkland Islands are a critical seabird breeding habitat but have been drastically reduced by grazing and erosion. Meanwhile, the sensitivity of seabirds and tussac to climate change is unknown because of a lack of long-term records in the South Atlantic. Our 14,000-year multiproxy record reveals an ecosystem state shift following seabird establishment 5000 years ago, as marine-derived nutrients from guano facilitated tussac establishment, peat productivity, and increased fire. Seabird arrival coincided with regional cooling, suggesting that the Falkland Islands are a cold-climate refugium. Conservation efforts focusing on tussac restoration should include this terrestrial-marine linkage, although a warming Southern Ocean calls into question the long-term viability of the Falkland Islands as habitat for low-latitude seabirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dulcinea V Groff
- Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, USA.
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
- Climate Change Institute, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - Kit M Hamley
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
- Climate Change Institute, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - Trevor J R Lessard
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
- Climate Change Institute, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | | | - Moriaki Yasuhara
- School of Biological Sciences and Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Paul Brickle
- South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute, Ross Road, Stanley FIQQ 1ZZ, Falkland Islands
- School of Biological Sciences (Zoology), University of Aberdeen, Zoology Building, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, Scotland, UK
| | - Jacquelyn L Gill
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA.
- Climate Change Institute, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
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45
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Mays HL, Oehler DA, Morrison KW, Morales AE, Lycans A, Perdue J, Battley PF, Cherel Y, Chilvers BL, Crofts S, Demongin L, Fry WR, Hiscock J, Kusch A, Marin M, Poisbleau M, Quillfeldt P, Raya Rey A, Steinfurth A, Thompson DR, Weakley LA. Phylogeography, Population Structure, and Species Delimitation in Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome and Eudyptes moseleyi). J Hered 2020; 110:801-817. [PMID: 31737899 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esz051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Rockhopper penguins are delimited as 2 species, the northern rockhopper (Eudyptes moseleyi) and the southern rockhopper (Eudyptes chrysocome), with the latter comprising 2 subspecies, the western rockhopper (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) and the eastern rockhopper (Eudyptes chrysocome filholi). We conducted a phylogeographic study using multilocus data from 114 individuals sampled across 12 colonies from the entire range of the northern/southern rockhopper complex to assess potential population structure, gene flow, and species limits. Bayesian and likelihood methods with nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, including model testing and heuristic approaches, support E. moseleyi and E. chrysocome as distinct species lineages with a divergence time of 0.97 Ma. However, these analyses also indicated the presence of gene flow between these species. Among southern rockhopper subspecies, we found evidence of significant gene flow and heuristic approaches to species delimitation based on the genealogical diversity index failed to delimit them as species. The best-supported population models for the southern rockhoppers were those where E. c. chrysocome and E. c. filholi were combined into a single lineage or 2 lineages with bidirectional gene flow. Additionally, we found that E. c. filholi has the highest effective population size while E. c. chrysocome showed similar effective population size to that of the endangered E. moseleyi. We suggest that the current taxonomic definitions within rockhopper penguins be upheld and that E. chrysocome populations, all found south of the subtropical front, should be treated as a single taxon with distinct management units for E. c. chrysocome and E. c. filholi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herman L Mays
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marshall University, Huntington, WV
| | - David A Oehler
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY.,Feather Link, Inc., Cincinnati, OH
| | | | - Ariadna E Morales
- Division of Vertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
| | - Alyssa Lycans
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marshall University, Huntington, WV
| | - Justin Perdue
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marshall University, Huntington, WV
| | - Phil F Battley
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372 du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - B Louise Chilvers
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Sarah Crofts
- Falklands Conservation, Stanley, Falkland Islands
| | | | | | - Jo Hiscock
- Department of Conservation, Invercargill, New Zealand
| | - Alejandro Kusch
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY.,Feather Link, Inc., Cincinnati, OH
| | - Manuel Marin
- Feather Link, Inc., Cincinnati, OH.,Section of Ornithology, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Maud Poisbleau
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp (Wilrijk), Belgium
| | - Petra Quillfeldt
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andrea Raya Rey
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Austral Center for Scientific Investigation, Ushuaia, Argentina.,Institute of Polar Science, National University of Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia, Argentina.,Wildlife Conservation Society, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Antje Steinfurth
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa.,RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Cambridge, UK
| | - David R Thompson
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Wellington, New Zealand
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46
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Lewis PJ, McGrath TJ, Emmerson L, Allinson G, Shimeta J. Adélie penguin colonies as indicators of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in East Antarctica. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 250:126320. [PMID: 32126331 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
While persistent organic pollutant (POP) contamination within Antarctica is largely caused by long-range atmospheric transport (LRAT), Antarctic research bases have been shown to be local sources of POPs such as brominated flame retardants (BFRs). This study compared concentrations of seven polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) congeners and five novel flame retardants (NBFRs) found in Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) colony soils near the Australian research stations, Mawson and Davis, to assess the stations as local sources of these contaminants and provide a much needed baseline for contamination of BFRs in East Antarctica. Soil samples (n = 46) were collected from Adélie colonies at close proximity to the research stations as well as further afield during the 2016-17 austral summer. Samples were analysed using selective pressurised liquid extraction (S-PLE) and gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). PBDEs (BDE-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, -154 and -183) were detected in 45/46 samples with ∑7PBDE concentrations ranging from <0.01 to 1.63 ng/g dry weight (dw) and NBFRs (2,3,4,5,6-pentabromotoluene (PBT), 2,3,4,5,6-pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB), hexabromobenzene (HBB), 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EH-TBB) and bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE)) detected in 20/46 samples, with a range of ∑5NBFR from not detected (ND) to 0.16 ng/g dw. Soils taken from around the Davis and Mawson research stations were more highly contaminated (n = 10) than penguin colonies (n = 27) and control areas not affiliated with breeding seabirds (n = 8). The most common congener detected was BDE-99, reflecting inputs from LRAT. However, the congener profiles of station soils supported the hypothesis that research stations are a local source of PBDEs to the Antarctic environment. In addition, the NBFR pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB) was quantified for the first time in Antarctic soils, providing essential information for baseline contamination within the region and highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring as global regulations for the use of BFRs continuously change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe J Lewis
- Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation (EnSuRe), School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia; Australian Antarctic Division, 203 Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania, 7050, Australia.
| | - Thomas J McGrath
- Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation (EnSuRe), School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia
| | - Louise Emmerson
- Australian Antarctic Division, 203 Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania, 7050, Australia
| | - Graeme Allinson
- Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation (EnSuRe), School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia
| | - Jeff Shimeta
- Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation (EnSuRe), School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia
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47
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Inumaru M, Aratani S, Shimizu M, Yamamoto M, Sato Y, Murata K, Valkiūnas G. Penguins are competent hosts of Haemoproteus parasites: the first detection of gametocytes, with molecular characterization of Haemoproteus larae. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:307. [PMID: 32532316 PMCID: PMC7291633 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04176-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The majority of penguins (Sphenisciformes) have evolved in areas with weak or absent transmission of haemosporidian parasites and are usually naïve to avian haemosporidian infections. Plasmodium parasites are transmitted by mosquitoes, and lethal avian malaria has been often reported in captive penguins in many countries. The related haemosporidian parasites belonging to Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon have also been detected in penguins but less often than Plasmodium infections. The majority of Haemoproteus infection reports in penguins are based solely on PCR-based diagnostics. It remains unclear if haemoproteids can complete their life-cycle and produce infective stages (gametocytes) in penguins or whether these infections are abortive in penguins, and thus dead ends for transmission. In other words, it remains unknown if penguins are competent hosts for Haemoproteus parasites, which cause disease in non-adapted birds. Methods Two captive African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) and two Magellanic penguins (S. magellanicus) were found to be positive for Haemoproteus infection in two open-air aquariums in Japan, and the parasites were investigated using both PCR-based testing and microscopical examination of blood films. Samples from a black-tailed gull (Larus crassirostris) and previously tested gulls were used for comparison. Results The lineage hSPMAG12 was detected, and gametocytes of Haemoproteus sp. were seen in the examined penguins and gull. Observed gametocytes were indistinguishable from those of Haemoproteus larae, which naturally parasitize birds of the genus Larus (Laridae). The detected sequence information and Bayesian phylogenetic analysis supported this conclusion. Additionally, morphologically similar gametocytes and closely related DNA sequences were also found in other gull species in Japan. Phylogenetic analysis based on partial cytb sequences placed the lineage hSPMAG12 of H. larae within the clade of avian haemoproteids which belong to the subgenus Parahaemoproteus, indicating that Culicoides biting midges likely transmit the parasites between penguins and gulls. Conclusions This study shows that some species of Haemoproteus parasites complete their development and produce gametocytes in penguins, which may be source of infection for biting midges transmitting haemoproteosis. To prevent haemosporidiosis in zoos, we call for control not only of mosquitoes, but also biting midges.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Mizue Inumaru
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, 252-0880, Japan
| | - Shiori Aratani
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, 252-0880, Japan
| | - Misa Shimizu
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, 252-0880, Japan
| | - Mineka Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, 252-0880, Japan
| | - Yukita Sato
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, 252-0880, Japan.
| | - Koichi Murata
- Laboratory of Wildlife Science, Department of Animal Science and Resources, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, 252-0880, Japan
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Subtle genetic clustering among South Australian colonies of little penguins (Eudyptula minor). CONSERV GENET 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-020-01284-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Ewbank AC, Sacristán C, Costa-Silva S, Antonelli M, Lorenço JR, Nogueira GA, Ebert MB, Kolesnikovas CKM, Catão-Dias JL. Postmortem findings in Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) caught in a drift gillnet. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:153. [PMID: 32448250 PMCID: PMC7245875 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02363-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Penguin interaction with gillnets has been extensively reported in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and is considered a major conservation threat. Among penguin species, Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) are currently considered of great concern, particularly in Brazil, where they are highly susceptible to gillnet bycatch. Nevertheless, information about drowning-associated microscopic findings in penguins is limited. RESULTS We describe the anatomopathological findings of 20 Magellanic penguins that drowned after getting entangled in a drift gillnet while wintering along the Brazilian shelf and washed ashore still enmeshed in Santa Catarina, Brazil. All 20 birds (19 juveniles and 1 adult; 18 females and 2 males) were in good body condition. Major gross findings were abrasion, bruising, and local erythema and edema of the wings, multiorgan congestion, jugular vein engorgement, pulmonary edema and hemorrhage, splenomegaly and hepatomegaly, fluid in the trachea, serous bloody fluid in the lungs, gastrointestinal parasites (nematodes, cestodes and trematodes), and debris in the stomach. The most common histopathological findings were cerebral and pulmonary congestion, pulmonary edema, splenic histiocytosis, lymphoid splenic hyperplasia, acute splenitis, extramedullary hepatic hematopoiesis, and parasitic enteritis. Although unspecific, the observed multiorgan congestion and pulmonary edema are consistent with previous reports of drowning in birds and may be indicative of this process. CONCLUSIONS Drowning may be a challenging diagnosis (e.g., carcass decomposition, predation), but must be considered as a differential in all beach-cast seabird postmortem examinations. To the authors' knowledge this is the largest anatomopathological study based on microscopic examination in drowned penguins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Ewbank
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil.
| | - Carlos Sacristán
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Mariana B Ebert
- Laboratory of Wildlife Parasitology (LAPAS), Parasitology Department, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, 18618-000, Brazil
| | | | - José Luiz Catão-Dias
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil
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