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The COST Action ‘European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility’ (ERBFacility) aims to develop pan-European raptor biomonitoring in support of better chemicals management in Europe, using raptors as sentinel species. This presents a significant challenge involving a range of constraints that must be identified and addressed. The aims of this study were to: (1) carry out a comprehensive review of the constraints that may limit the gathering in the field of raptor samples and contextual data, and assess their relative importance across Europe; and (2) identify and discuss possible solutions to the key constraints that were identified. We applied a participatory approach to identify constraints and to discuss feasible solutions. Thirty-one constraints were identified, which were divided into four categories: legal, methodological, spatial coverage, and skills constraints. To assess the importance of the constraints and their possible solutions, we collected information through scientific workshops and by distributing a questionnaire to stakeholders in all the countries involved in ERBFacility. We obtained 74 answers to the questionnaire, from 24 of the 39 COST participating countries. The most important constraints identified were related to the collection of complex contextual data about sources of contamination, and the low number of existing raptor population national/regional monitoring schemes and ecological studies that could provide raptor samples. Legal constraints, such as permits to allow the collection of invasive samples, and skills constraints, such as the lack of expertise to practice necropsies, were also highlighted. Here, we present solutions for all the constraints identified, thus suggesting the feasibility of establishing a long-term European Raptor Sampling Programme as a key element of the planned European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility.
Maria Dulsat-Masvidal; Rui Lourenço; Silvia Lacorte; Marcello D'Amico; Tamer Albayrak; Jovan Andevski; Arianna Aradis; Emanuel Baltag; Oded Berger-Tal; Philippe Berny; Yael Choresh; Guy Duke; Silvia Espín; Antonio J. García-Fernández; Pilar Gómez-Ramírez; Gunnar T. Hallgrimsson; Veerle Jaspers; Ulf Johansson; Andras Kovacs; Oliver Krone; Madis Leivits; Emma Martínez-López; Rafael Mateo; Paola Movalli; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; Richard F. Shore; Jari Valkama; Al Vrezec; Stavros Xirouchakis; Lee A. Walker; Chris Wernham. A review of constraints and solutions for collecting raptor samples and contextual data for a European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility. Science of The Total Environment 2021, 793, 148599 .
AMA StyleMaria Dulsat-Masvidal, Rui Lourenço, Silvia Lacorte, Marcello D'Amico, Tamer Albayrak, Jovan Andevski, Arianna Aradis, Emanuel Baltag, Oded Berger-Tal, Philippe Berny, Yael Choresh, Guy Duke, Silvia Espín, Antonio J. García-Fernández, Pilar Gómez-Ramírez, Gunnar T. Hallgrimsson, Veerle Jaspers, Ulf Johansson, Andras Kovacs, Oliver Krone, Madis Leivits, Emma Martínez-López, Rafael Mateo, Paola Movalli, Pablo Sánchez-Virosta, Richard F. Shore, Jari Valkama, Al Vrezec, Stavros Xirouchakis, Lee A. Walker, Chris Wernham. A review of constraints and solutions for collecting raptor samples and contextual data for a European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility. Science of The Total Environment. 2021; 793 ():148599.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Dulsat-Masvidal; Rui Lourenço; Silvia Lacorte; Marcello D'Amico; Tamer Albayrak; Jovan Andevski; Arianna Aradis; Emanuel Baltag; Oded Berger-Tal; Philippe Berny; Yael Choresh; Guy Duke; Silvia Espín; Antonio J. García-Fernández; Pilar Gómez-Ramírez; Gunnar T. Hallgrimsson; Veerle Jaspers; Ulf Johansson; Andras Kovacs; Oliver Krone; Madis Leivits; Emma Martínez-López; Rafael Mateo; Paola Movalli; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; Richard F. Shore; Jari Valkama; Al Vrezec; Stavros Xirouchakis; Lee A. Walker; Chris Wernham. 2021. "A review of constraints and solutions for collecting raptor samples and contextual data for a European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility." Science of The Total Environment 793, no. : 148599.
Pollutants, such as toxic metals, negatively influence organismal health and performance, even leading to population collapses. Studies in model organisms have shown that epigenetic marks, such as DNA methylation, can be modulated by various environmental factors, including pollutants, influencing gene expression, and various organismal traits. Yet experimental data on the effects of pollution on DNA methylation from wild animal populations are largely lacking. We here experimentally investigated for the first time the effects of early-life exposure to environmentally relevant levels of a key pollutant, arsenic (As), on genome-wide DNA methylation in a wild bird population. We experimentally exposed nestlings of great tits (Parus major) to arsenic during their postnatal developmental period (3 to 14 days post-hatching) and compared their erythrocyte DNA methylation levels to those of respective controls. In contrast to predictions, we found no overall hypomethylation in the arsenic group. We found evidence for loci to be differentially methylated between the treatment groups, but for five CpG sites only. Three of the sites were located in gene bodies of zinc finger and BTB domain containing 47 (ZBTB47), HIVEP zinc finger 3 (HIVEP3), and insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1). Further studies are needed to evaluate whether epigenetic dysregulation is a commonly observed phenomenon in polluted populations and what are the consequences for organism functioning and for population dynamics.
Veronika N. Laine; Mark Verschuuren; Kees van Oers; Silvia Espín; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; Tapio Eeva; Suvi Ruuskanen. Does Arsenic Contamination Affect DNA Methylation Patterns in a Wild Bird Population? An Experimental Approach. Environmental Science & Technology 2021, 55, 8947 -8954.
AMA StyleVeronika N. Laine, Mark Verschuuren, Kees van Oers, Silvia Espín, Pablo Sánchez-Virosta, Tapio Eeva, Suvi Ruuskanen. Does Arsenic Contamination Affect DNA Methylation Patterns in a Wild Bird Population? An Experimental Approach. Environmental Science & Technology. 2021; 55 (13):8947-8954.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVeronika N. Laine; Mark Verschuuren; Kees van Oers; Silvia Espín; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; Tapio Eeva; Suvi Ruuskanen. 2021. "Does Arsenic Contamination Affect DNA Methylation Patterns in a Wild Bird Population? An Experimental Approach." Environmental Science & Technology 55, no. 13: 8947-8954.
Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are commonly used to control rodent populations and frequently involved in wildlife and domestic animal poisoning. These poisoning cases (especially for ARs) are a challenge for forensic toxicologists, and adequate post-mortem examination and toxicological analyses become essential for a proper diagnosis. Publications describing different analytical methods for AR analysis in biological samples are growing, and a clear compilation of the overall picture is needed to standardize methodologies in future research. This review aims to compile and compare the analytical procedures applied for AR determination in the literature. Using this information, a scoring system was developed for those techniques using liver and blood as matrices, and the techniques were ranked considering different criteria (i.e. sample amount required, recoveries, limits of quantification (LOQs), number of ARs analysed, points of the calibration curve and multi-class methods). This review shows an overview of the main methods used for AR analysis in forensic toxicology and will help to elucidate future directions to improve multi-residue techniques to detect the ARs involved in wildlife lethal poisoning.
Irene Valverde; Silvia Espín; Pilar Gómez-Ramírez; Isabel Navas; Pedro María-Mojica; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; Pedro Jiménez; María Y. Torres-Chaparro; Antonio J. García-Fernández. Wildlife poisoning: a novel scoring system and review of analytical methods for anticoagulant rodenticide determination. Ecotoxicology 2021, 30, 767 -782.
AMA StyleIrene Valverde, Silvia Espín, Pilar Gómez-Ramírez, Isabel Navas, Pedro María-Mojica, Pablo Sánchez-Virosta, Pedro Jiménez, María Y. Torres-Chaparro, Antonio J. García-Fernández. Wildlife poisoning: a novel scoring system and review of analytical methods for anticoagulant rodenticide determination. Ecotoxicology. 2021; 30 (5):767-782.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIrene Valverde; Silvia Espín; Pilar Gómez-Ramírez; Isabel Navas; Pedro María-Mojica; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; Pedro Jiménez; María Y. Torres-Chaparro; Antonio J. García-Fernández. 2021. "Wildlife poisoning: a novel scoring system and review of analytical methods for anticoagulant rodenticide determination." Ecotoxicology 30, no. 5: 767-782.
Bird feces are commonly used as a proxy for measuring dietary metal exposure levels in wild populations. Our study aims to improve the reliability and repeatability of fecal metal measurements and gives some recommendations for sampling. First, we studied levels of variation in metallic element (arsenic, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, copper, nickel, lead) concentrations: temporal variation within an individual, among siblings in a brood and among-brood/spatial variation. Second, we explored the variation caused by dual composition (urate vs. feces) of bird droppings. Two sets of fresh fecal samples were collected from pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) nestlings living in a metal polluted area in summers 2017 (dataset 1) and 2018 (dataset 2). We found a great deal of temporal intra-individual variation in metal levels, suggesting that dietary exposure varied markedly in a short time scale (within a day). A sample from only one nestling per brood did not well describe the brood mean value, and we recommend that at least four siblings should be sampled. Brood level samples give relatively good temporal repeatability for most metals. For all the metals, the levels in the fecal portion were more than double to those in the urate portion. Since the mass proportion of urate in the bird droppings varied a great deal among samples, standardizing sampling, e.g., by collecting only the fecal part, would markedly reduce the variation due to composition. Alternatively, urate portion could be used for biomonitoring of internally circulated bioavailable metal.
Tapio Eeva; Nelli Raivikko; Silvia Espín; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; Suvi Ruuskanen; Jouni Sorvari; Miia Rainio. Bird Feces as Indicators of Metal Pollution: Pitfalls and Solutions. Toxics 2020, 8, 124 .
AMA StyleTapio Eeva, Nelli Raivikko, Silvia Espín, Pablo Sánchez-Virosta, Suvi Ruuskanen, Jouni Sorvari, Miia Rainio. Bird Feces as Indicators of Metal Pollution: Pitfalls and Solutions. Toxics. 2020; 8 (4):124.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTapio Eeva; Nelli Raivikko; Silvia Espín; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; Suvi Ruuskanen; Jouni Sorvari; Miia Rainio. 2020. "Bird Feces as Indicators of Metal Pollution: Pitfalls and Solutions." Toxics 8, no. 4: 124.
The integration and synthesis of the data in different areas of science is drastically slowed and hindered by a lack of standards and networking programmes. Long‐term studies of individually marked animals are not an exception. These studies are especially important as instrumental for understanding evolutionary and ecological processes in the wild. Further, their number and global distribution provides a unique opportunity to assess the generality of patterns and to address broad‐scale global issues (e.g. climate change). To solve data integration issues and enable a new scale of ecological and evolutionary research based on long‐term studies of birds, we have created the SPI‐Birds Network and Database (www.spibirds.org) – a large‐scale initiative that connects data from, and researchers working on, studies of wild populations of individually recognizable (usually ringed) birds. Within year and a half since the establishment, SPI‐Birds has recruited over 120 members, and currently hosts data on almost 1,5 million individual birds collected in 80 populations over 2000 cumulative years, and counting. SPI‐Birds acts as a data hub and a catalogue of studied populations. It prevents data loss, secures easy data finding, use and integration, and thus facilitates collaboration and synthesis. We provide community‐derived data and meta‐data standards and improve data integrity guided by the principles of Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR), and aligned with the existing metadata languages (e.g. ecological meta‐data language). The encouraging community involvement stems from SPI‐Bird's decentralized approach: research groups retain full control over data use and their way of data management, while SPI‐Birds creates tailored pipelines to convert each unique data format into a standard format. We outline the lessons learned, so that other communities (e.g. those working on other taxa) can adapt our successful model. Creating community‐specific hubs (such as ours, COMADRE for animal demography, etc.) will aid much‐needed large‐scale ecological data integration.
Antica Culina; Frank Adriaensen; Liam D. Bailey; Malcolm D. Burgess; Anne Charmantier; Ella F. Cole; Tapio Eeva; Erik Matthysen; Chloé R. Nater; Ben C. Sheldon; Bernt‐Erik Sæther; Stefan J. G. Vriend; Zuzana Zajkova; Peter Adamík; Lucy M. Aplin; Elena Angulo; Alexandr Artemyev; Emilio Barba; Sanja Barišić; Eduardo Belda; Cemal Can Bilgin; Josefa Bleu; Christiaan Both; Sandra Bouwhuis; Claire J. Branston; Juli Broggi; Terry Burke; Andrey Bushuev; Carlos Camacho; Daniela Campobello; David Canal; Alejandro Cantarero; Samuel P. Caro; Maxime Cauchoix; Alexis Chaine; Mariusz Cichoń; Davor Ćiković; Camillo A. Cusimano; Caroline Deimel; André A. Dhondt; Niels J. Dingemanse; Blandine Doligez; Davide M. Dominoni; Claire Doutrelant; Szymon M. Drobniak; Anna Dubiec; Marcel Eens; Kjell Einar Erikstad; Silvia Espín; Damien R. Farine; Jordi Figuerola; Pınar Kavak Gülbeyaz; Arnaud Grégoire; Ian R. Hartley; Michaela Hau; Gergely Hegyi; Sabine Hille; Camilla A. Hinde; Benedikt Holtmann; Tatyana Ilyina; Caroline Isaksson; Arne Iserbyt; Elena Ivankina; Wojciech Kania; Bart Kempenaers; Anvar Kerimov; Jan Komdeur; Peter Korsten; Miroslav Král; Miloš Krist; Marcel Lambrechts; Carlos E. Lara; Agu Leivits; András Liker; Jaanis Lodjak; Marko Mägi; Mark C. Mainwaring; Raivo Mänd; Bruno Massa; Sylvie Massemin; Jesús Martínez‐Padilla; Tomasz D. Mazgajski; Adèle Mennerat; Juan Moreno; Alexia Mouchet; Shinichi Nakagawa; Jan‐Åke Nilsson; Johan F. Nilsson; Ana Cláudia Norte; Kees van Oers; Markku Orell; Jaime Potti; John L. Quinn; Denis Réale; Tone Kristin Reiertsen; Balázs Rosivall; Andrew F Russell; Seppo Rytkönen; Pablo Sánchez‐Virosta; Eduardo S. A. Santos; Julia Schroeder; Juan Carlos Senar; Gábor Seress; Tore Slagsvold; Marta Szulkin; Céline Teplitsky; Vallo Tilgar; Andrey Tolstoguzov; János Török; Mihai Valcu; Emma Vatka; Simon Verhulst; Hannah Watson; Teru Yuta; José M. Zamora‐Marín; Marcel E. Visser. Connecting the data landscape of long‐term ecological studies: The SPI‐Birds data hub. Journal of Animal Ecology 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleAntica Culina, Frank Adriaensen, Liam D. Bailey, Malcolm D. Burgess, Anne Charmantier, Ella F. Cole, Tapio Eeva, Erik Matthysen, Chloé R. Nater, Ben C. Sheldon, Bernt‐Erik Sæther, Stefan J. G. Vriend, Zuzana Zajkova, Peter Adamík, Lucy M. Aplin, Elena Angulo, Alexandr Artemyev, Emilio Barba, Sanja Barišić, Eduardo Belda, Cemal Can Bilgin, Josefa Bleu, Christiaan Both, Sandra Bouwhuis, Claire J. Branston, Juli Broggi, Terry Burke, Andrey Bushuev, Carlos Camacho, Daniela Campobello, David Canal, Alejandro Cantarero, Samuel P. Caro, Maxime Cauchoix, Alexis Chaine, Mariusz Cichoń, Davor Ćiković, Camillo A. Cusimano, Caroline Deimel, André A. Dhondt, Niels J. Dingemanse, Blandine Doligez, Davide M. Dominoni, Claire Doutrelant, Szymon M. Drobniak, Anna Dubiec, Marcel Eens, Kjell Einar Erikstad, Silvia Espín, Damien R. Farine, Jordi Figuerola, Pınar Kavak Gülbeyaz, Arnaud Grégoire, Ian R. Hartley, Michaela Hau, Gergely Hegyi, Sabine Hille, Camilla A. Hinde, Benedikt Holtmann, Tatyana Ilyina, Caroline Isaksson, Arne Iserbyt, Elena Ivankina, Wojciech Kania, Bart Kempenaers, Anvar Kerimov, Jan Komdeur, Peter Korsten, Miroslav Král, Miloš Krist, Marcel Lambrechts, Carlos E. Lara, Agu Leivits, András Liker, Jaanis Lodjak, Marko Mägi, Mark C. Mainwaring, Raivo Mänd, Bruno Massa, Sylvie Massemin, Jesús Martínez‐Padilla, Tomasz D. Mazgajski, Adèle Mennerat, Juan Moreno, Alexia Mouchet, Shinichi Nakagawa, Jan‐Åke Nilsson, Johan F. Nilsson, Ana Cláudia Norte, Kees van Oers, Markku Orell, Jaime Potti, John L. Quinn, Denis Réale, Tone Kristin Reiertsen, Balázs Rosivall, Andrew F Russell, Seppo Rytkönen, Pablo Sánchez‐Virosta, Eduardo S. A. Santos, Julia Schroeder, Juan Carlos Senar, Gábor Seress, Tore Slagsvold, Marta Szulkin, Céline Teplitsky, Vallo Tilgar, Andrey Tolstoguzov, János Török, Mihai Valcu, Emma Vatka, Simon Verhulst, Hannah Watson, Teru Yuta, José M. Zamora‐Marín, Marcel E. Visser. Connecting the data landscape of long‐term ecological studies: The SPI‐Birds data hub. Journal of Animal Ecology. 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAntica Culina; Frank Adriaensen; Liam D. Bailey; Malcolm D. Burgess; Anne Charmantier; Ella F. Cole; Tapio Eeva; Erik Matthysen; Chloé R. Nater; Ben C. Sheldon; Bernt‐Erik Sæther; Stefan J. G. Vriend; Zuzana Zajkova; Peter Adamík; Lucy M. Aplin; Elena Angulo; Alexandr Artemyev; Emilio Barba; Sanja Barišić; Eduardo Belda; Cemal Can Bilgin; Josefa Bleu; Christiaan Both; Sandra Bouwhuis; Claire J. Branston; Juli Broggi; Terry Burke; Andrey Bushuev; Carlos Camacho; Daniela Campobello; David Canal; Alejandro Cantarero; Samuel P. Caro; Maxime Cauchoix; Alexis Chaine; Mariusz Cichoń; Davor Ćiković; Camillo A. Cusimano; Caroline Deimel; André A. Dhondt; Niels J. Dingemanse; Blandine Doligez; Davide M. Dominoni; Claire Doutrelant; Szymon M. Drobniak; Anna Dubiec; Marcel Eens; Kjell Einar Erikstad; Silvia Espín; Damien R. Farine; Jordi Figuerola; Pınar Kavak Gülbeyaz; Arnaud Grégoire; Ian R. Hartley; Michaela Hau; Gergely Hegyi; Sabine Hille; Camilla A. Hinde; Benedikt Holtmann; Tatyana Ilyina; Caroline Isaksson; Arne Iserbyt; Elena Ivankina; Wojciech Kania; Bart Kempenaers; Anvar Kerimov; Jan Komdeur; Peter Korsten; Miroslav Král; Miloš Krist; Marcel Lambrechts; Carlos E. Lara; Agu Leivits; András Liker; Jaanis Lodjak; Marko Mägi; Mark C. Mainwaring; Raivo Mänd; Bruno Massa; Sylvie Massemin; Jesús Martínez‐Padilla; Tomasz D. Mazgajski; Adèle Mennerat; Juan Moreno; Alexia Mouchet; Shinichi Nakagawa; Jan‐Åke Nilsson; Johan F. Nilsson; Ana Cláudia Norte; Kees van Oers; Markku Orell; Jaime Potti; John L. Quinn; Denis Réale; Tone Kristin Reiertsen; Balázs Rosivall; Andrew F Russell; Seppo Rytkönen; Pablo Sánchez‐Virosta; Eduardo S. A. Santos; Julia Schroeder; Juan Carlos Senar; Gábor Seress; Tore Slagsvold; Marta Szulkin; Céline Teplitsky; Vallo Tilgar; Andrey Tolstoguzov; János Török; Mihai Valcu; Emma Vatka; Simon Verhulst; Hannah Watson; Teru Yuta; José M. Zamora‐Marín; Marcel E. Visser. 2020. "Connecting the data landscape of long‐term ecological studies: The SPI‐Birds data hub." Journal of Animal Ecology , no. : 1.
Bromadiolone is a second generation anticoagulant rodenticide (SGAR) used to control pest rodents worldwide. SGARs are frequently involved in secondary poisoning in rodent predators due to their persistence and toxicity. This study aims to evaluate the persistence of bromadiolone in liver at different stages of carcass decomposition in experimentally-dosed common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) to understand the possibility of detecting bromadiolone in cases of wildlife poisoning and the potential risk of tertiary poisoning. Twelve individuals were divided into the bromadiolone-dose group (dosed with 55 mg/kg b.w) and the control group. Hepatic bromadiolone concentrations found in each stage of decomposition were: 3000, 2891, 4804, 4245, 8848, and 756 ng/g dry weight at 1–2 h (fresh carcass), 24 h (moderate decomposition), 72 h, 96 h (advanced decomposition), seven days (very advanced decomposition), and 15 days (initial skeletal reduction) after death, respectively. Liver bromadiolone concentrations in carcasses remained relatively stable over the first four days and raised on day 7 of decomposition under the specific conditions of this experiment, presenting a risk of causing tertiary poisoning. However, at the initial skeletal reduction stage, liver bromadiolone concentration declined, which should be considered to interpret toxicological analyses and for proper diagnosis. This experimental study provides for the first time some light to better understand the degradation of SGARs in carcasses in the wild.
Irene Valverde; Silvia Espín; Pilar Gómez-Ramírez; Isabel Navas; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; María Torres-Chaparro; Pedro Jiménez; Pedro María-Mojica; Antonio García-Fernández. Temporal Persistence of Bromadiolone in Decomposing Bodies of Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). Toxics 2020, 8, 98 .
AMA StyleIrene Valverde, Silvia Espín, Pilar Gómez-Ramírez, Isabel Navas, Pablo Sánchez-Virosta, María Torres-Chaparro, Pedro Jiménez, Pedro María-Mojica, Antonio García-Fernández. Temporal Persistence of Bromadiolone in Decomposing Bodies of Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). Toxics. 2020; 8 (4):98.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIrene Valverde; Silvia Espín; Pilar Gómez-Ramírez; Isabel Navas; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; María Torres-Chaparro; Pedro Jiménez; Pedro María-Mojica; Antonio García-Fernández. 2020. "Temporal Persistence of Bromadiolone in Decomposing Bodies of Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)." Toxics 8, no. 4: 98.
Birds have been historically affected by metals and are considered powerful sentinels of environmental pollution. Some toxic elements (Pb, Cd, Hg, As) have been broadly studied in avian species and are well known for their accumulation capacity and deleterious effects, including alterations in vitamin levels. Vitamins A, E and D3 are fat-soluble nutrients involved in multiple physiological functions (e.g., immune function, vision, reproduction, growth and development). Publications reporting metal-induced effects on vitamins in birds are growing and, in some cases, results seem contradictory, making them difficult to interpret. Therefore, a clear view of the overall picture is needed. This mini-review article aims to compile relevant data and describe current knowledge on the effects of the most toxic elements (i.e., Pb, Cd, Hg, As) on vitamins A, E and D3 in birds. Although vitamins are diet dependent, they are strongly regulated and transformed in the organism, and metal-related disruption in their homeostasis may provoke alterations in different directions. Moreover, vitamin status and form in vivo is the result of complex interacting processes in the organism and metal exposure may produce cascade effects. Different factors that may contribute to the variable response of vitamins to metals in birds are discussed. Some final remarks and recommendations are provided for future studies. This mini-review shows an overview of the current knowledge in metal-induced alterations in vitamins of special concern for avian ecotoxicology, a research discipline facing important challenges in the coming years.
Silvia Espín; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta. A review of metal-induced effects on vitamins A, E and D3 in birds. Ecotoxicology 2020, 30, 1 -16.
AMA StyleSilvia Espín, Pablo Sánchez-Virosta. A review of metal-induced effects on vitamins A, E and D3 in birds. Ecotoxicology. 2020; 30 (1):1-16.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSilvia Espín; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta. 2020. "A review of metal-induced effects on vitamins A, E and D3 in birds." Ecotoxicology 30, no. 1: 1-16.
One of the most common wildlife crimes involving birds worldwide is malicious poisoning. Post-mortem examination and toxicological analysis are essential for a proper diagnosis of the cause of the poisoning. However, investigators often require an estimate of the time of death, which is best determined by identifying the stage of carcass decomposition. The aim of this article is to propose a scoring method to classify the stages of carcass decomposition and thus provide an estimate of the time of death in small-size raptors. This protocol can be used by practitioners, forensic veterinarians, researchers, authorities and personnel collecting carcasses in order to standardize methods and minimize subjectivity. For this purpose, 12 carcasses of Common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) were exposed to external weather conditions (in the period 4–19 July 2019) in Murcia, Southeastern Spain. The ambient temperature and relative humidity, body core temperatures and carcass weights were measured at intervals over the study period. Necropsies were performed (2 birds at each interval) at 1–2 h, 24 h, 72 h, 96 h, 7 days and 15 days after death. The necropsy of a previously frozen bird was performed to act as a comparison with non-frozen fresh individuals. Six stages of the post-mortem autolytic process were selected: fresh carcass, moderate decomposition, advanced decomposition, very advanced decomposition, initial skeletal reduction and complete skeletal reduction. To classify the carcasses according to these categories, a scoring method is proposed considering 5 parameters: state of the eyeballs, tongue/oral cavity, pectoral muscle, internal organs and other features. Several parameters affecting the process of the decomposition are discussed.
Irene Valverde; Silvia Espín; Pedro María-Mojica; Antonio J. García-Fernández. Protocol to classify the stages of carcass decomposition and estimate the time of death in small-size raptors. European Journal of Wildlife Research 2020, 66, 1 -13.
AMA StyleIrene Valverde, Silvia Espín, Pedro María-Mojica, Antonio J. García-Fernández. Protocol to classify the stages of carcass decomposition and estimate the time of death in small-size raptors. European Journal of Wildlife Research. 2020; 66 (6):1-13.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIrene Valverde; Silvia Espín; Pedro María-Mojica; Antonio J. García-Fernández. 2020. "Protocol to classify the stages of carcass decomposition and estimate the time of death in small-size raptors." European Journal of Wildlife Research 66, no. 6: 1-13.
Mercury (Hg), particularly as methylmercury (MeHg), is a nonessential, persistent, and bioaccumulative toxic element with high biomagnification capacity and is considered a threat to marine environments. We evaluated total Hg concentrations in liver, kidney, and brain in 62 individuals of 9 bird species linked to marine ecosystems from western Mediterranean admitted in a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (WRC) (Alicante, Spain, 2005–2020). Age- and sex-related differences in Hg levels, as well as the cause of admission to the WRC, were also evaluated in certain species. The species studied were: northern gannet (Morus bassanus), European shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis), great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Balearic shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus), yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis), razorbill (Alca torda), common tern (Sterna hirundo), and black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus). Concentrations in feathers of 27 individuals, and concentrations in internal tissues in 7 other individuals of 7 different species were also reported but not statistically evaluated due to the limited number of samples. Results suggest that individuals were chronically exposed to Hg through diet. The differences in Hg concentrations among species may be explained by their diet habits. Mercury concentrations strongly correlated between tissues (r = 0.78–0.94, p < 0.001, n = 61–62). Some individuals of certain species (i.e., European shag, northern gannet, and great cormorant) showed Hg concentrations close to or above those described in the literature as causing reproductive alterations in other avian species. Consequently, certain individuals inhabiting western Mediterranean could be at risk of suffering long-term, Hg-related effects. Some of the species evaluated are listed within different categories of threat according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and are endangered at a national level, so this study will provide valuable information for assessors and authorities in charge of the management of the environment and pollution.
Silvia Albertos; Neus I. Berenguer; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; Pilar Gómez-Ramírez; Pedro Jiménez; María Y. Torres-Chaparro; Irene Valverde; Isabel Navas; Pedro María-Mojica; Antonio J. García-Fernández; Silvia Espín. Mercury Exposure in Birds Linked to Marine Ecosystems in the Western Mediterranean. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 2020, 1 -19.
AMA StyleSilvia Albertos, Neus I. Berenguer, Pablo Sánchez-Virosta, Pilar Gómez-Ramírez, Pedro Jiménez, María Y. Torres-Chaparro, Irene Valverde, Isabel Navas, Pedro María-Mojica, Antonio J. García-Fernández, Silvia Espín. Mercury Exposure in Birds Linked to Marine Ecosystems in the Western Mediterranean. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 2020; ():1-19.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSilvia Albertos; Neus I. Berenguer; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; Pilar Gómez-Ramírez; Pedro Jiménez; María Y. Torres-Chaparro; Irene Valverde; Isabel Navas; Pedro María-Mojica; Antonio J. García-Fernández; Silvia Espín. 2020. "Mercury Exposure in Birds Linked to Marine Ecosystems in the Western Mediterranean." Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology , no. : 1-19.
Some metals and metalloids (e.g. Pb, Hg, Cd and As) are well-known for their bioaccumulation capacity and their toxic effects on birds, but concerns on other minor elements and rare earth elements (ME and REE) are growing due to their intensive use in modern technology and potential toxicity. Vitamins and carotenoids play essential roles in nestling growth and proper development, and are known to be affected by the metals classically considered as toxic. However, we are unaware of any attempts to evaluate the exposure to 50 elements and related effects in plasma vitamins and carotenoids in raptor species. The main goals of this study are: (i) to assess the exposure to 50 elements (i.e. classic toxic elements, trace elements, REE and ME) in nestling Eagle owls (Bubo bubo) inhabiting three differently polluted environments (mining, industrial and control areas) in southeastern Spain, and (ii) to evaluate how element exposure affects plasma vitamin and carotenoid levels, hematocrit and body measurements (mass and wing length) of the individuals. Our results show that local contamination in the mining area contributes to increased blood concentrations of Pb, As and Tl in nestlings, while diet differences between control and mining/industrial areas may account for the different levels of Mn, Zn, and Sr in blood, and lutein in plasma. Plasma tocopherol levels were increased in the mining-impacted environment, which may be a mechanism of protection to prevent toxic element-related oxidative stress. Plasma α-tocopherol was enhanced by 20% at blood Pb concentrations ≥8 ng/ml, and nestlings exhibited up to 56% increase in α-tocopherol levels when blood Pb concentrations reached 170 ng/ml. Tocopherol seems to be a sensitive biomarker under an exposure to certain toxic elements (e.g. Pb, As, Tl).
Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; Mario León-Ortega; José F. Calvo; Pablo R. Camarero; Rafael Mateo; Manuel Zumbado; Octavio P. Luzardo; Tapio Eeva; Antonio J. García-Fernández; Silvia Espín. Blood concentrations of 50 elements in Eagle owl (Bubo bubo) at different contamination scenarios and related effects on plasma vitamin levels. Environmental Pollution 2020, 265, 115012 .
AMA StylePablo Sánchez-Virosta, Mario León-Ortega, José F. Calvo, Pablo R. Camarero, Rafael Mateo, Manuel Zumbado, Octavio P. Luzardo, Tapio Eeva, Antonio J. García-Fernández, Silvia Espín. Blood concentrations of 50 elements in Eagle owl (Bubo bubo) at different contamination scenarios and related effects on plasma vitamin levels. Environmental Pollution. 2020; 265 ():115012.
Chicago/Turabian StylePablo Sánchez-Virosta; Mario León-Ortega; José F. Calvo; Pablo R. Camarero; Rafael Mateo; Manuel Zumbado; Octavio P. Luzardo; Tapio Eeva; Antonio J. García-Fernández; Silvia Espín. 2020. "Blood concentrations of 50 elements in Eagle owl (Bubo bubo) at different contamination scenarios and related effects on plasma vitamin levels." Environmental Pollution 265, no. : 115012.
Birds of prey, owls and falcons are widely used as sentinel species in raptor biomonitoring programmes. A major current challenge is to facilitate large-scale biomonitoring by coordinating contaminant monitoring activities and by building capacity across countries. This requires sharing, dissemination and adoption of best practices addressed by the Networking Programme Research and Monitoring for and with Raptors in Europe (EURAPMON) and now being advanced by the ongoing international COST Action European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility. The present perspective introduces a schematic sampling protocol for contaminant monitoring in raptors. We provide guidance on sample collection with a view to increasing sampling capacity across countries, ensuring appropriate quality of samples and facilitating harmonization of procedures to maximize the reliability, comparability and interoperability of data. The here presented protocol can be used by professionals and volunteers as a standard guide to ensure harmonised sampling methods for contaminant monitoring in raptors.
Silvia Espín; Jovan Andevski; Guy Duke; Igor Eulaers; Pilar Gómez-Ramírez; Gunnar Thor Hallgrimsson; Björn Helander; Dorte Herzke; Veerle L. B. Jaspers; Oliver Krone; Rui Lourenço; Pedro María-Mojica; Emma Martínez-López; Rafael Mateo; Paola Movalli; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; Richard F. Shore; Christian Sonne; Nico W. Van Den Brink; Bert Van Hattum; Al Vrezec; Chris Wernham; Antonio J. García-Fernández. A schematic sampling protocol for contaminant monitoring in raptors. Ambio 2020, 50, 95 -100.
AMA StyleSilvia Espín, Jovan Andevski, Guy Duke, Igor Eulaers, Pilar Gómez-Ramírez, Gunnar Thor Hallgrimsson, Björn Helander, Dorte Herzke, Veerle L. B. Jaspers, Oliver Krone, Rui Lourenço, Pedro María-Mojica, Emma Martínez-López, Rafael Mateo, Paola Movalli, Pablo Sánchez-Virosta, Richard F. Shore, Christian Sonne, Nico W. Van Den Brink, Bert Van Hattum, Al Vrezec, Chris Wernham, Antonio J. García-Fernández. A schematic sampling protocol for contaminant monitoring in raptors. Ambio. 2020; 50 (1):95-100.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSilvia Espín; Jovan Andevski; Guy Duke; Igor Eulaers; Pilar Gómez-Ramírez; Gunnar Thor Hallgrimsson; Björn Helander; Dorte Herzke; Veerle L. B. Jaspers; Oliver Krone; Rui Lourenço; Pedro María-Mojica; Emma Martínez-López; Rafael Mateo; Paola Movalli; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; Richard F. Shore; Christian Sonne; Nico W. Van Den Brink; Bert Van Hattum; Al Vrezec; Chris Wernham; Antonio J. García-Fernández. 2020. "A schematic sampling protocol for contaminant monitoring in raptors." Ambio 50, no. 1: 95-100.
Direct and indirect effects of environmental pollution affect negatively to birds' breeding performance in both urban and industrial environments, but much less is known on how pollution and natural stress factors work together. In our long-term study (1991–2018), we explored whether industrial pollution and associated habitat changes increase the sensitivity of breeding parameters (hatching and fledging success, nestling growth) to temperature and precipitation in two insectivorous bird species, the great tit (Parus major) and the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca). We found that both species are rather weather sensitive in terms of their fledging success, but especially in the F. hypoleuca, the negative effect was strengthened in a polluted environment. For both study species, all the breeding parameters, except growth of F. hypoleuca nestlings, were inferior in the polluted area and negatively affected by cold weather. Independent of pollution, the duration of rainy spells during the nestling period had an overall negative effect on fledging success of F. hypoleuca, and this effect became stronger at cold temperatures. The length of rainy spells was, however, positively associated with nestling wing length in both species, possibly because of better availability of some important food resources for wing growth in more humid conditions. The weather-pollution interactions in our study populations were not overwhelmingly strong, but those found in F. hypoleuca show that such interactions exist, they are species-specific and in our study system most likely associated to pollution-related resource (e.g. food) limitation. Higher sensitivity of F. hypoleuca to low temperatures is likely related to its less well-insulated nests and higher dependence on aerial prey, the availability of which is especially reduced during cold and rainy spells. Our study indicates that anthropogenic stress, such as pollution, has synergistic effects with natural stress factors affecting passerine birds' breeding performance.
Tapio Eeva; Silvia Espín; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; Miia Rainio. Weather effects on breeding parameters of two insectivorous passerines in a polluted area. Science of The Total Environment 2020, 729, 138913 .
AMA StyleTapio Eeva, Silvia Espín, Pablo Sánchez-Virosta, Miia Rainio. Weather effects on breeding parameters of two insectivorous passerines in a polluted area. Science of The Total Environment. 2020; 729 ():138913.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTapio Eeva; Silvia Espín; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; Miia Rainio. 2020. "Weather effects on breeding parameters of two insectivorous passerines in a polluted area." Science of The Total Environment 729, no. : 138913.
Nightjars are considered human-tolerant species due to the population densities reached in strongly managed landscapes. However, no studies have been done evaluating metal-related effects on physiology, condition or fitness in any nightjar species. The main aim of this study was to evaluate how metal exposure affects physiology and condition in red-necked nightjar (Caprimulgus ruficollis) populations inhabiting three different environments in southeastern Spain: agricultural-urban area (n = 15 individuals), mining area (n = 17) and control area (n = 16). Increased plasma mineral levels (magnesium and calcium) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were observed in breeding females, and ALP was significantly higher in young birds due to bone growth and development. In the mining-impacted environment, nightjars showed decreased retinol (17.3 and 23.6 μM in the mining area and control area), uric acid (28.8 and 48.6 mg/dl in the mining area and control area) and albumin (16.2 and 19.6 g/l in the mining area and control area), probably impaired by a combination of toxic metal exposure and low prey quantity/quality in that area. Moreover, they showed increased plasma tocopherol levels (53.4 and 38.6 μM in the mining area and control area) which may be a response to cope with metal-induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Blood concentrations of toxic metals (As, Pb, Cd and Hg) were negatively associated with calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, ALP, total proteins and body condition index. This could lead to metal-related disorders in mineral metabolism and ALP activity that may potentially increase the risk of skeletal pathologies and consequent risk of fractures in the long term, compromising the survival of individuals. Further studies need to be carried out to evaluate potential metal-related effects on the antioxidant status and bone mineralization of nightjars inhabiting mining environments.
Silvia Espín; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; José M. Zamora-Marín; Mario León-Ortega; Pedro Jiménez; Antonio Zamora-López; Pablo R. Camarero; Rafael Mateo; Tapio Eeva; Antonio J. García-Fernández. Physiological effects of toxic elements on a wild nightjar species. Environmental Pollution 2020, 263, 114568 .
AMA StyleSilvia Espín, Pablo Sánchez-Virosta, José M. Zamora-Marín, Mario León-Ortega, Pedro Jiménez, Antonio Zamora-López, Pablo R. Camarero, Rafael Mateo, Tapio Eeva, Antonio J. García-Fernández. Physiological effects of toxic elements on a wild nightjar species. Environmental Pollution. 2020; 263 ():114568.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSilvia Espín; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; José M. Zamora-Marín; Mario León-Ortega; Pedro Jiménez; Antonio Zamora-López; Pablo R. Camarero; Rafael Mateo; Tapio Eeva; Antonio J. García-Fernández. 2020. "Physiological effects of toxic elements on a wild nightjar species." Environmental Pollution 263, no. : 114568.
Pilar Gómez-Ramírez; Silvia Espín; Isabel Navas; Emma Martínez-López; Pedro Jiménez; Pedro María-Mojica; José Peñalver; Antonio J García-Fernández. Mercury and Organochlorine Pesticides in Tissues of Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) Stranded Along the Southwestern Mediterranean Coastline (Andalusia, Spain). 2020, 1 .
AMA StylePilar Gómez-Ramírez, Silvia Espín, Isabel Navas, Emma Martínez-López, Pedro Jiménez, Pedro María-Mojica, José Peñalver, Antonio J García-Fernández. Mercury and Organochlorine Pesticides in Tissues of Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) Stranded Along the Southwestern Mediterranean Coastline (Andalusia, Spain). . 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StylePilar Gómez-Ramírez; Silvia Espín; Isabel Navas; Emma Martínez-López; Pedro Jiménez; Pedro María-Mojica; José Peñalver; Antonio J García-Fernández. 2020. "Mercury and Organochlorine Pesticides in Tissues of Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) Stranded Along the Southwestern Mediterranean Coastline (Andalusia, Spain)." , no. : 1.
Nineteen loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) stranded along the southwestern Mediterranean coastline (Andalusia) were used in this study. A total of 68 samples of fat (n = 18), liver (n = 15), kidney (n = 13), pectoral muscle (n = 19), and brain (n = 3) were analysed for total mercury (Hg) and organochlorine pesticides [OC: ∑Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (∑DDT), ∑Hexachlorocyclohexane (∑HCH), ∑Heptachlor, ∑Drins and ∑Endosulfan]. These loggerhead sea turtles showed tissue Hg and OC concentrations similar to or lower than those reported in other studies. Few growth-related variations in Hg or OC levels in relation to straight carapace length were found, probably because the specimens were mostly juveniles. This study will help to fill the gap on spatio-temporal exposure data and ascertain the real world-wide picture of the contamination levels in loggerhead sea turtles.
Pilar Gómez-Ramírez; Silvia Espín; Isabel Navas; Emma Martínez-López; Pedro Jiménez; Pedro María-Mojica; Jose Peñalver; Antonio J. García-Fernández. Mercury and Organochlorine Pesticides in Tissues of Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) Stranded Along the Southwestern Mediterranean Coastline (Andalusia, Spain). Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 2020, 104, 559 -567.
AMA StylePilar Gómez-Ramírez, Silvia Espín, Isabel Navas, Emma Martínez-López, Pedro Jiménez, Pedro María-Mojica, Jose Peñalver, Antonio J. García-Fernández. Mercury and Organochlorine Pesticides in Tissues of Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) Stranded Along the Southwestern Mediterranean Coastline (Andalusia, Spain). Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 2020; 104 (5):559-567.
Chicago/Turabian StylePilar Gómez-Ramírez; Silvia Espín; Isabel Navas; Emma Martínez-López; Pedro Jiménez; Pedro María-Mojica; Jose Peñalver; Antonio J. García-Fernández. 2020. "Mercury and Organochlorine Pesticides in Tissues of Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) Stranded Along the Southwestern Mediterranean Coastline (Andalusia, Spain)." Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 104, no. 5: 559-567.
Toxic metals have been widely reported in avian tissues due to their well-known accumulation capacity and adverse effects. However, rare earth elements (REE) and other minor elements (ME) are becoming a new threat due to their use in modern technology. Presently, exposure data are limited and no studies have been reported in wildlife. The order Caprimulgiformes is among the most understudied groups of birds lacking blood ecotoxicological data. One major constraint is the small blood sample volume that can be collected to ensure animal welfare, which limits analyses. In order to shed light on these collective issues, we sampled 48 red-necked nightjars (Caprimulgus ruficollis) inhabiting three different scenarios of contaminant exposure (agricultural-urban area, n = 15; mining area, n = 17; and control area, n = 16) in southeastern Spain, and report for the first time concentrations of 50 elements (i.e. trace elements, ATSDR’s list toxic elements, REE and ME) using a recently developed technique able to analyze them by ICP-MS in very small volumes of blood (130 μL). Concentrations of As, Cd, Pb and Mn were significantly higher in individuals captured at the mining area compared to the other sites. Lead levels in the mine site were of particular concern since it was in the range of blood concentrations related to subclinical/clinical effects in other species, and in our study were associated with decreased hematocrit values (up to 44% hematocrit depression at blood concentrations >1000 ng/ml w.w.). Moreover, additive effects related to metal cocktail exposure in the mining area could be expected. Age and gender-related differences in blood concentrations were found for some elements. Even though most REE and ME concentrations were close to the LOQ, some of these emerging contaminants may trigger sublethal effects that, together with the ATSDR’s list toxic elements, need to be carefully evaluated in a future study.
Silvia Espín; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; José M. Zamora-Marín; Mario León-Ortega; Pedro Jiménez; Manuel Zumbado; Octavio P. Luzardo; Tapio Eeva; Antonio J. García-Fernández. Toxic elements in blood of red-necked nightjars (Caprimulgus ruficollis) inhabiting differently polluted environments. Environmental Pollution 2020, 262, 114334 .
AMA StyleSilvia Espín, Pablo Sánchez-Virosta, José M. Zamora-Marín, Mario León-Ortega, Pedro Jiménez, Manuel Zumbado, Octavio P. Luzardo, Tapio Eeva, Antonio J. García-Fernández. Toxic elements in blood of red-necked nightjars (Caprimulgus ruficollis) inhabiting differently polluted environments. Environmental Pollution. 2020; 262 ():114334.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSilvia Espín; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; José M. Zamora-Marín; Mario León-Ortega; Pedro Jiménez; Manuel Zumbado; Octavio P. Luzardo; Tapio Eeva; Antonio J. García-Fernández. 2020. "Toxic elements in blood of red-necked nightjars (Caprimulgus ruficollis) inhabiting differently polluted environments." Environmental Pollution 262, no. : 114334.
Can animals reflect human and environmental health risks? This is a frequently asked question in the research community. Sentinel species are organisms that can provide early warning signs of potential risks to humans, so that preventive measures can be taken in time to avoid serious adverse health consequences. In spite of the well-known cases of use of sentinel species, animals are continuously offering information that in most cases is underestimated or incorrectly interpreted. Many species may be successfully used as sentinels or monitors of environmental and health hazards; however, there is no ideal species for all types of scenarios and conditions. For this reason, the advantages and disadvantages on the use of potential sentinel species and the main characteristics they should gather to be effective sentinels are discussed. Although a wide range of wildlife species are considered good candidates for biomonitoring purposes, bird species are especially suitable as biomonitors of environmental quality and to estimate human health risks. During the last two decades, the effects induced by endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on hormone action have been widely tested. Since the mid-twentieth century, it is well-known that humans and wildlife species are simultaneously exposed to multiple chemicals from multiple sources with potential ability to disrupt the endocrine system by different pathways and/or interfere with hormone actions. Moreover, additive effects related to this chemical cocktail exposure could be expected, increasing the potential risks to animal and human health. In addition, carcinogenic, immunotoxic, neurotoxic, behavioral, and other chronic effects are observed in wildlife, which are closely linked to human diseases.
Antonio Juan García-Fernández; Silvia Espín; Pilar Gómez-Ramírez; Emma Martínez-López; Isabel Navas. Wildlife Sentinels for Human and Environmental Health Hazards in Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment. Methods in Molecular Biology 2020, 77 -94.
AMA StyleAntonio Juan García-Fernández, Silvia Espín, Pilar Gómez-Ramírez, Emma Martínez-López, Isabel Navas. Wildlife Sentinels for Human and Environmental Health Hazards in Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment. Methods in Molecular Biology. 2020; ():77-94.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAntonio Juan García-Fernández; Silvia Espín; Pilar Gómez-Ramírez; Emma Martínez-López; Isabel Navas. 2020. "Wildlife Sentinels for Human and Environmental Health Hazards in Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment." Methods in Molecular Biology , no. : 77-94.
Both Ca deficiency and metal exposure may affect physiological and nutritional condition of breeding females altering their ability to deposit essential resources (e.g. Ca, antioxidants) into the eggs. This effect of the maternal investment into egg quality is not strictly limited to the embryonic period, but may persist after hatching, since nutrient levels in yolks can compromise nestling antioxidant status, growth and fledging success. The goal of this study was to investigate how metal pollution and Ca availability during the breeding season affect oxidative stress biomarkers and plasma biochemistry in adult female pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca). In addition, we aim to evaluate how maternal antioxidant status and body condition relate to breeding parameters and offspring oxidative balance. Females breeding in a metal-polluted area in SW Finland showed higher metal concentrations compared to the control area, although current levels were below the toxic level able to affect female physiology. In addition, Ca availability was not constraining female oxidative status and general health in the study area. Interestingly, our results suggested that antioxidant response to metals was better when Ca concentrations were high enough to cover the physiological Ca requirements in breeding females. There seems to be a subtle balance between the concentrations of Ca in the organism and the tolerance to metal-related effects that requires further research. This study supports that offspring oxidative balance and nestling development are affected by maternal body condition and antioxidant status.
Silvia Espín; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; Sandra Ruiz; Tapio Eeva. Female oxidative status in relation to calcium availability, metal pollution and offspring development in a wild passerine. Environmental Pollution 2020, 260, 113921 .
AMA StyleSilvia Espín, Pablo Sánchez-Virosta, Sandra Ruiz, Tapio Eeva. Female oxidative status in relation to calcium availability, metal pollution and offspring development in a wild passerine. Environmental Pollution. 2020; 260 ():113921.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSilvia Espín; Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; Sandra Ruiz; Tapio Eeva. 2020. "Female oxidative status in relation to calcium availability, metal pollution and offspring development in a wild passerine." Environmental Pollution 260, no. : 113921.
In this study, we determined the presence of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in back feathers from three raptor species, Phalcoboenus chimango, Milvago chimachima and Caracara plancus. Samples were obtained from live animals and ten OCPs were detected: α-HCH, β-HCH and γ-HCH (lindane), heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, aldrin, endosulfan I, endosulfan II, endosulfan sulfate and p,p′-DDE. The concentrations found were higher than those reported in other raptor species, and C. plancus showed greater values than P. chimango and M. chimachima for all the substances. These differences may be justified by the species feeding habits and the characteristics of the sampling area, since C. plancus were sampled in an area with a higher concentration of agricultural crops and urbanized environments. In relation to the possible negative effects, four individuals of C. plancus presented DDE values related to sublethal effects for other species. This is the first study reporting OCPs in back feathers of these species in Brazil, and further studies evaluating OCP exposure and related effects are important for a better understanding of the consequences of different OCP concentrations on the health of these species.
Gustavo Francisco Aver; Silvia Espín; Renata De Boni Dal Corno; Antonio J. García-Fernández; Maria Virginia Petry. Organochlorine pesticides in feathers of three raptor species in southern Brazil. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2019, 27, 5971 -5980.
AMA StyleGustavo Francisco Aver, Silvia Espín, Renata De Boni Dal Corno, Antonio J. García-Fernández, Maria Virginia Petry. Organochlorine pesticides in feathers of three raptor species in southern Brazil. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2019; 27 (6):5971-5980.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGustavo Francisco Aver; Silvia Espín; Renata De Boni Dal Corno; Antonio J. García-Fernández; Maria Virginia Petry. 2019. "Organochlorine pesticides in feathers of three raptor species in southern Brazil." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 27, no. 6: 5971-5980.
Arsenic (As) is broadly distributed due to natural and anthropogenic sources, and it may cause adverse effects in birds. However, research on other elements (Pb, Hg and Cd) has been prioritized, resulting in scarce data on As exposure and related effects in wild birds. One of the mechanisms responsible for As toxicity is oxidative stress. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate if environmentally relevant As levels affected oxidative stress biomarkers in great tits (Parus major). This is the first field experiment studying the effects of As on oxidative stress in wild passerines. Wild great tit nestlings were orally dosed with sodium arsenite (Control: water, Low dose: 0.2 μg g−1 d−1 and High dose: 1 μg g−1 d−1; from day 3 to day 13 post-hatching). We intended to reach As concentrations similar to those at which passerines are exposed to at actual polluted areas. We compared the responses to the experimental manipulations (High, Low and Control groups) with those in an As/metal-exposed population breeding close to a Cu–Ni smelter in Finland (Smelter group). A set of antioxidants (tGSH, GSH:GSSG ratio, CAT, SOD, GST and GPx), and oxidative damage biomarkers (lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine formation in DNA, and telomere length) were explored in blood. Arsenic administration had no significant effect on most of the biomarkers measured: only the CAT activity was lower in the High As group and the GPx activity was enhanced in the Smelter group compared to the Control. Our results suggest that the dose and duration of the As exposure was not enough to induce oxidative damage in red cells of great tit nestlings. In spite of this, nestlings dosed with 1 μg g−1 d−1 of sodium arsenite showed non-significantly higher oxidative stress biomarkers than controls, suggesting that we were close to an effect level for the redox-defense system. Oxidative effects at equivalent As levels combined with other stressors cannot be dismissed.
Pablo Sánchez-Virosta; Silvia Espín; Sandra Ruiz; Bineet Panda; Petteri Ilmonen; Sandra L. Schultz; Natalie Karouna-Renier; Antonio J. García-Fernández; Tapio Eeva. Arsenic-related oxidative stress in experimentally-dosed wild great tit nestlings. Environmental Pollution 2019, 259, 113813 .
AMA StylePablo Sánchez-Virosta, Silvia Espín, Sandra Ruiz, Bineet Panda, Petteri Ilmonen, Sandra L. Schultz, Natalie Karouna-Renier, Antonio J. García-Fernández, Tapio Eeva. Arsenic-related oxidative stress in experimentally-dosed wild great tit nestlings. Environmental Pollution. 2019; 259 ():113813.
Chicago/Turabian StylePablo Sánchez-Virosta; Silvia Espín; Sandra Ruiz; Bineet Panda; Petteri Ilmonen; Sandra L. Schultz; Natalie Karouna-Renier; Antonio J. García-Fernández; Tapio Eeva. 2019. "Arsenic-related oxidative stress in experimentally-dosed wild great tit nestlings." Environmental Pollution 259, no. : 113813.