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Scammell K, Cooke R, Yokochi K, Carter N, Nguyen H, White JG. The missing toxic link: Exposure of non-target native marsupials to second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) suggest a potential route of transfer into apex predators. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 933:173191. [PMID: 38740216 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173191] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are used globally to control rodent pests. Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) persist in the liver and pose a significant risk of bioaccumulation and secondary poisoning in predators, including species that do not generally consume rodents. As such, there is a clear need to understand the consumption of ARs, particularly SGARs, by non-target consumers to determine the movement of these anticoagulants through ecosystems. We collected and analysed the livers from deceased common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) and common ringtail possums (Pseudocheirus peregrinus), native Australian marsupials that constitute the main diet of the powerful owl (Ninox strenua), an Australian apex predator significantly exposed to SGAR poisoning. ARs were detected in 91 % of brushtail possums and 40 % of ringtail possums. Most of the detections were attributed to SGARs, while first-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (FGARs) were rarely detected. SGAR concentrations were likely lethal or toxic in 42 % of brushtail possums and 4 % of ringtail possums with no effect of age, sex, or weight detected in either species. There was also no effect of the landscape type possums were from, suggesting SGAR exposure is ubiquitous across landscapes. The rate of exposure detected in these possums provides insight into the pathway through which ARs are transferred to one of their key predators, the powerful owl. With SGARs entering food-webs through non-target species, the potential for bioaccumulation and broader secondary poisoning of predators is significantly greater and highlights an urgent need for routine rodenticide testing in non-target consumers that present as ill or found deceased. To limit their impact on ecosystem stability the use of SGARs should be significantly regulated by governing agencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran Scammell
- Deakin University, Geelong School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125, Vic., Australia
| | - Raylene Cooke
- Deakin University, Geelong School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125, Vic., Australia.
| | - Kaori Yokochi
- Deakin University, Geelong School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125, Vic., Australia
| | - Nicholas Carter
- Deakin University, Geelong School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125, Vic., Australia
| | - Hao Nguyen
- National Measurement Institute, 1/153 Bertie Street, Port Melbourne 3207, Vic., Australia
| | - John G White
- Deakin University, Geelong School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125, Vic., Australia
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2
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Fusi F, Saponara S, Brimble MA, Rennison D, Hopkins B, Bova S. The Enigma of Norbormide, a Rattus-Selective Toxicant. Cells 2024; 13:788. [PMID: 38727324 PMCID: PMC11083043 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Norbormide (NRB) is a Rattus-selective toxicant, which was serendipitously discovered in 1964 and formerly marketed as an eco-friendly rodenticide that was deemed harmless to non-Rattus species. However, due to inconsistent efficacy and the emergence of second-generation anticoagulants, its usage declined, with registration lapsing in 2003. NRBs' lethal action in rats entails irreversible vasoconstriction of peripheral arteries, likely inducing cardiac damage: however, the precise chain of events leading to fatality and the target organs involved remain elusive. This unique contractile effect is exclusive to rat arteries and is induced solely by the endo isomers of NRB, hinting at a specific receptor involvement. Understanding NRB's mechanism of action is crucial for developing species-selective toxicants as alternatives to the broad-spectrum ones currently in use. Recent research efforts have focused on elucidating its cellular mechanisms and sites of action using novel NRB derivatives. The key findings are as follows: NRB selectively opens the rat mitochondrial permeability transition pore, which may be a factor that contributes to its lethal effect; it inhibits rat vascular KATP channels, which potentially controls its Rattus-selective vasoconstricting activity; and it possesses intracellular binding sites in both sensitive and insensitive cells, as revealed by fluorescent derivatives. These studies have led to the development of a prodrug with enhanced pharmacokinetic and toxicological profiles, which is currently undergoing registration as a novel efficacious eco-sustainable Rattus-selective toxicant. The NRB-fluorescent derivatives also show promise as non-toxic probes for intracellular organelle labelling. This review documents in more detail these developments and their implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Fusi
- Department of Biotechnologies, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Simona Saponara
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Margaret A. Brimble
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, 23 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand; (M.A.B.); (D.R.)
| | - David Rennison
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, 23 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand; (M.A.B.); (D.R.)
| | - Brian Hopkins
- Manaaki-Whenua–Landcare Research, Canterbury Agriculture and Science Centre, 76 Gerald Street, Lincoln 7608, New Zealand;
| | - Sergio Bova
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via 8 Febbraio 2, 35122 Padova, Italy;
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Paulin MV, Bray S, Laudhittirut T, Paulin J, Blakley B, Snead E. Anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity in dogs: A retrospective study of 349 confirmed cases in Saskatchewan. THE CANADIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL = LA REVUE VETERINAIRE CANADIENNE 2024; 65:496-503. [PMID: 38694735 PMCID: PMC11017940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the signalment and clinical, laboratory, treatment, and outcome features of dogs diagnosed with anticoagulant rodenticide (AR) intoxication in Saskatchewan. Animals We studied 349 dogs. Procedure Medical records from the Veterinary Medical Centre (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) between 1999 and 2022 were reviewed. Cases were included if they met at least 1 of the following criteria: owner witnessed the dog ingesting an AR; AR was seen in the vomitus when emesis was induced; the dog had clinical signs of coagulopathy, with elevation of PT ± aPTT that normalized after vitamin K1 therapy, in the presence of appropriate clinical and paraclinical data and the absence of other causes of hypocoagulable state determined by the primary clinician. Results Fifty-three percent of cases were seen between July and October. Most dogs (61%) came from an urban setting. Ninety-two percent of dogs ingested a 2nd-generation AR and the most frequent toxin was bromadiolone. Clinical signs were reported in 30% of AR intoxications and included lethargy (86%), dyspnea (55%), and evidence of external hemorrhage (44%). The most common site of hemorrhage was the pleural space, accounting for 43% of hemorrhage sites. Consumptive thrombocytopenia was reported in 24% of dogs with evidence of AR-induced hemorrhage, with moderate (platelet count < 60 K/μL) and marked (< 30 K/μL) thrombocytopenia in 7/12 and 2/12 dogs, respectively. Blood products were administered to 84% of dogs with AR-induced hemorrhage; the most common product administered was fresh frozen plasma (56% of cases). Among dogs with AR-induced hemorrhage, those that received blood products were more likely to survive to discharge (81%) compared to those that did not (19%) (P = 0.017). Eighty-six percent of dogs with AR-induced hemorrhage survived to discharge. Conclusion and clinical relevance The pleural space was the most common site of hemorrhage. Moderate thrombocytopenia was a common finding. Eighty-six percent of dogs with AR-induced hemorrhage survived to discharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Victor Paulin
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (MV Paulin, Laudhittirut, Snead) and Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences (Blakley), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; Alpine Animal Hospital, 10 H Keenleyside Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2L 2B9 (Bray); VCA Central Animal Hospital, 106 103 Street East Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 1Y7 (J Paulin)
| | - Samantha Bray
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (MV Paulin, Laudhittirut, Snead) and Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences (Blakley), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; Alpine Animal Hospital, 10 H Keenleyside Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2L 2B9 (Bray); VCA Central Animal Hospital, 106 103 Street East Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 1Y7 (J Paulin)
| | - Tanarut Laudhittirut
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (MV Paulin, Laudhittirut, Snead) and Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences (Blakley), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; Alpine Animal Hospital, 10 H Keenleyside Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2L 2B9 (Bray); VCA Central Animal Hospital, 106 103 Street East Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 1Y7 (J Paulin)
| | - Jeneva Paulin
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (MV Paulin, Laudhittirut, Snead) and Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences (Blakley), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; Alpine Animal Hospital, 10 H Keenleyside Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2L 2B9 (Bray); VCA Central Animal Hospital, 106 103 Street East Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 1Y7 (J Paulin)
| | - Barry Blakley
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (MV Paulin, Laudhittirut, Snead) and Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences (Blakley), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; Alpine Animal Hospital, 10 H Keenleyside Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2L 2B9 (Bray); VCA Central Animal Hospital, 106 103 Street East Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 1Y7 (J Paulin)
| | - Elisabeth Snead
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (MV Paulin, Laudhittirut, Snead) and Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences (Blakley), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4; Alpine Animal Hospital, 10 H Keenleyside Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2L 2B9 (Bray); VCA Central Animal Hospital, 106 103 Street East Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 1Y7 (J Paulin)
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Fritsch C, Berny P, Crouzet O, Le Perchec S, Coeurdassier M. Wildlife ecotoxicology of plant protection products: knowns and unknowns about the impacts of currently used pesticides on terrestrial vertebrate biodiversity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024:10.1007/s11356-024-33026-1. [PMID: 38639904 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33026-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Agricultural practices are a major cause of the current loss of biodiversity. Among postwar agricultural intensification practices, the use of plant protection products (PPPs) might be one of the prominent drivers of the loss of wildlife diversity in agroecosystems. A collective scientific assessment was performed upon the request of the French Ministries responsible for the Environment, for Agriculture and for Research to review the impacts of PPPs on biodiversity and ecosystem services based on the scientific literature. While the effects of legacy banned PPPs on ecosystems and the underlying mechanisms are well documented, the impacts of current use pesticides (CUPs) on biodiversity have rarely been reviewed. Here, we provide an overview of the available knowledge related to the impacts of PPPs, including biopesticides, on terrestrial vertebrates (i.e. herptiles, birds including raptors, bats and small and large mammals). We focused essentially on CUPs and on endpoints at the subindividual, individual, population and community levels, which ultimately linked with effects on biodiversity. We address both direct toxic effects and indirect effects related to ecological processes and review the existing knowledge about wildlife exposure to PPPs. The effects of PPPs on ecological functions and ecosystem services are discussed, as are the aggravating or mitigating factors. Finally, a synthesis of knowns and unknowns is provided, and we identify priorities to fill gaps in knowledge and perspectives for research and wildlife conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémentine Fritsch
- Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement, UMR 6249 CNRS/Université de Franche-Comté, 16 Route de Gray, F-25000, Besançon, France
| | - Philippe Berny
- UR-ICE, Vetagro Sup, Campus Vétérinaire, 69280, Marcy L'étoile, France
| | - Olivier Crouzet
- Direction de La Recherche Et de L'Appui Scientifique, Office Français de La Biodiversité, Site de St-Benoist, 78610, Auffargis, France
| | | | - Michael Coeurdassier
- Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement, UMR 6249 CNRS/Université de Franche-Comté, 16 Route de Gray, F-25000, Besançon, France.
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5
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Ozaki S, Movalli P, Cincinelli A, Alygizakis N, Badry A, Carter H, Chaplow JS, Claßen D, Dekker RWRJ, Dodd B, Duke G, Koschorreck J, Pereira MG, Potter E, Sleep D, Slobodnik J, Thomaidis NS, Treu G, Walker L. Significant Turning Point: Common Buzzard ( Buteo buteo) Exposure to Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides in the United Kingdom. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:6093-6104. [PMID: 38545700 PMCID: PMC11008253 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09052] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) are widely used to control rodent populations, resulting in the serious secondary exposure of predators to these contaminants. In the United Kingdom (UK), professional use and purchase of SGARs were revised in the 2010s. Certain highly toxic SGARs have been authorized since then to be used outdoors around buildings as resistance-breaking chemicals under risk mitigation procedures. However, it is still uncertain whether and how these regulatory changes have influenced the secondary exposure of birds of prey to SGARs. Based on biomonitoring of the UK Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) collected from 2001 to 2019, we assessed the temporal trend of exposure to SGARs and statistically determined potential turning points. The magnitude of difenacoum decreased over time with a seasonal fluctuation, while the magnitude and prevalence of more toxic brodifacoum, authorized to be used outdoors around buildings after the regulatory changes, increased. The summer of 2016 was statistically identified as a turning point for exposure to brodifacoum and summed SGARs that increased after this point. This time point coincided with the aforementioned regulatory changes. Our findings suggest a possible shift in SGAR use to brodifacoum from difenacoum over the decades, which may pose higher risks of impacts on wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Ozaki
- UK
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster
Environment Centre, Library
Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United
Kingdom
| | - Paola Movalli
- Naturalis
Biodiversity Center, Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Alessandra Cincinelli
- Department
of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Nikiforos Alygizakis
- Environmental
Institute, Okružná
784/42, 97241 Koš, Slovak Republic
- Department
of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian
University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zographou, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Alexander Badry
- German Environment
Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06813 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Heather Carter
- UK
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster
Environment Centre, Library
Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United
Kingdom
| | - Jacqueline S. Chaplow
- UK
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster
Environment Centre, Library
Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United
Kingdom
| | - Daniela Claßen
- German Environment
Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06813 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | | | - Beverley Dodd
- UK
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster
Environment Centre, Library
Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United
Kingdom
| | - Guy Duke
- UK
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, MacLean Bldg, Benson Ln, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford OX10 8BB, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Koschorreck
- German Environment
Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06813 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - M. Glória Pereira
- UK
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster
Environment Centre, Library
Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United
Kingdom
| | - Elaine Potter
- UK
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster
Environment Centre, Library
Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United
Kingdom
| | - Darren Sleep
- UK
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster
Environment Centre, Library
Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United
Kingdom
| | | | - Nikolaos S. Thomaidis
- Department
of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian
University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zographou, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Gabriele Treu
- German Environment
Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06813 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Lee Walker
- UK
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster
Environment Centre, Library
Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United
Kingdom
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Spadetto L, Gómez-Ramírez P, Zamora-Marín JM, León-Ortega M, Díaz-García S, Tecles F, Fenoll J, Cava J, Calvo JF, García-Fernández AJ. Active monitoring of long-eared owl (Asio otus) nestlings reveals widespread exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides across different agricultural landscapes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 918:170492. [PMID: 38307270 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170492] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
The widespread use of anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) poses a worldwide threat to farmland wildlife. These compounds accumulate in tissues of both target and non-target species, potentially endangering both direct consumers and their predators. However, investigations on ARs in blood of free-ranging predatory birds are rare. Here, the long-eared owl (Asio otus) has been used as a model predator to assess AR exposure in different agricultural landscapes from a Mediterranean semiarid region. A total of 69 owlets from 38 nests were blood-sampled over 2021 and 2022, aiming to detect AR residues and explore factors that determine their exposure, such as land uses. In addition, prothrombin time (PT) test was conducted to assess potential effects of AR contamination. Overall, nearly all the samples (98.6 %) tested positive for at least one compound and multiple ARs were found in most of the individuals (82.6 %). Among the ARs detected, flocoumafen was the most common compound (88.4 % of the samples). AR total concentration (ΣARs) in blood ranged from 0.06 to 34.18 ng mL-1, detecting the highest levels in the most intensively cultivated area. The analysis of owl pellets from 19 breeding territories showed relevant among-site differences in the contribution of rodents and birds into the diet of long-eared owls, supporting its high dietary plasticity and indicating AR presence at multiple trophic levels. Moreover, a positive and significant correlation was found between ΣARs and PT (Rho = 0.547, p < 0.001), which demonstrates the direct effect of ARs on free-living nestlings. Our results provide a preliminary overview of AR exposure in a little-studied owl species inhabiting agricultural and rural landscapes. Despite the low detected levels, these findings indicate widespread exposure -often to multiple compounds- from early life stages, which raises concern and draws attention to an ongoing and unresolved contamination issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Spadetto
- Toxicology Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus de Espinardo, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Pilar Gómez-Ramírez
- Toxicology Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus de Espinardo, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
| | - José Manuel Zamora-Marín
- ULULA Association for Owl Study and Conservation, 30100 Murcia, Spain; Department of Applied Biology, Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Elche, Spain; Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Biology, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Mario León-Ortega
- ULULA Association for Owl Study and Conservation, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Sarah Díaz-García
- ULULA Association for Owl Study and Conservation, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Fernando Tecles
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis (Interlab-UMU), Veterinary School, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - José Fenoll
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Alimentario, IMIDA, 30150 Murcia, Spain
| | - Juana Cava
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Alimentario, IMIDA, 30150 Murcia, Spain
| | - José Francisco Calvo
- Department of Ecology and Hydrology, Faculty of Biology, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
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7
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Musto C, Cerri J, Capizzi D, Fontana MC, Rubini S, Merialdi G, Berzi D, Ciuti F, Santi A, Rossi A, Barsi F, Gelmini L, Fiorentini L, Pupillo G, Torreggiani C, Bianchi A, Gazzola A, Prati P, Sala G, Apollonio M, Delogu M, Biancardi A, Uboldi L, Moretti A, Garbarino C. First evidence of widespread positivity to anticoagulant rodenticides in grey wolves (Canis lupus). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 915:169990. [PMID: 38232835 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.169990] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Second-generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (ARs) can be critical for carnivores, due to their widespread use and impacts. However, although many studies explored the impacts of ARs on small and mesocarnivores, none assessed the extent to which they could contaminate large carnivores in anthropized landscapes. We filled this gap by exploring spatiotemporal trends in grey wolf (Canis lupus) exposure to ARs in central and northern Italy, by subjecting a large sample of dead wolves (n = 186) to the LC-MS/MS method. Most wolves (n = 115/186, 61.8 %) tested positive for ARs (1 compound, n = 36; 2 compounds, n = 47; 3 compounds, n = 16; 4 or more compounds, n = 16). Bromadiolone, brodifacoum and difenacoum, were the most common compounds, with brodifacoum and bromadiolone being the ARs that co-occurred the most (n = 61). Both the probability of testing positive for multiple ARs and the concentration of brodifacoum, and bromadiolone in the liver, systematically increased in wolves that were found at more anthropized sites. Moreover, wolves became more likely to test positive for ARs through time, particularly after 2020. Our results underline that rodent control, based on ARs, increases the risks of unintentional poisoning of non-target wildlife. However, this risk does not only involve small and mesocarnivores, but also large carnivores at the top of the food chain, such as wolves. Therefore, rodent control is adding one further conservation threat to endangered large carnivores in anthropized landscapes of Europe, whose severity could increase over time and be far higher than previously thought. Large-scale monitoring schemes for ARs in European large carnivores should be devised as soon as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Musto
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Jacopo Cerri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - Dario Capizzi
- Directorate for Environment, Latium Region, 00173 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Fontana
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Silva Rubini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Merialdi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Duccio Berzi
- Centro per lo Studio e la Documentazione sul Lupo, 50033 Firenze, Italy
| | - Francesca Ciuti
- Centro per lo Studio e la Documentazione sul Lupo, 50033 Firenze, Italy
| | - Annalisa Santi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Arianna Rossi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Filippo Barsi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Luca Gelmini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Laura Fiorentini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pupillo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Camilla Torreggiani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bianchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gazzola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Paola Prati
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Sala
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Apollonio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Mauro Delogu
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto Biancardi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Laura Uboldi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Moretti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Chiara Garbarino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
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8
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Chansiripornchai P, Kesdangsakonwut S, Techangamsuwan S. Anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning in farmed Patagonian mara (Dolichotis patagonum). BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:83. [PMID: 38454460 PMCID: PMC10921809 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-03943-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anticoagulant rodenticide (AR) poisoning was diagnosed in 3 Patagonian maras (Dolichotis patagonum) raised in the mara farm in Thailand. To date, there have been no reports of maras with diagnosed AR poisoning. CASE PRESENTATION The first clinical sign of the sickening maras was anorexia. Fifteen from 50 maras were dead over a 3-5 day period after the clinical signs had occurred. Positive results to AR were detected in all of the maras' liver specimens by screening test using thin layer chromatography and spectrophotometry methods. Supportive therapy was selected for the treatment of the 35 surviving maras. During the follow - up observation period of 12 months, all of the surviving maras were healthy and no reproductive loss. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report on suspected AR poisoning in maras in Thailand based on history taking, clinical signs, gross pathology lesions and chemical analysis. AR poisoning in the present report is possibly from contaminated animal food. Therefore, quality control of food should be fastidious when feeding maras.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyarat Chansiripornchai
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Henri - Dunant Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
| | - Sawang Kesdangsakonwut
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Henri - Dunant Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Henri - Dunant Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Wildlife, Exotic and Aquatic Animal Pathology Center of Excellence, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Somporn Techangamsuwan
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Henri - Dunant Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Henri - Dunant Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
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9
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Popov Aleksandrov A, Tucovic D, Kulas J, Popovic D, Kataranovski D, Kataranovski M, Mirkov I. Toxicology of chemical biocides: Anticoagulant rodenticides - Beyond hemostasis disturbance. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 277:109841. [PMID: 38237840 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.109841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The use of anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) is one of the most commonly employed management methods for pest rodents. ARs compete with vitamin K (VK) required for the synthesis of blood clotting factors in the liver, resulting in inhibition of blood coagulation and often animal death due to hemorrhage. Besides rodents (target species), ARs may affect non-target animal species and humans. Out of hemostasis disturbance, the effects of ARs may be related to the inhibition of proteins that require VK for their synthesis but are not involved in the coagulation process, to their direct cytotoxicity, and their pro-oxidant/proinflammatory activity. A survey of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of these sublethal/asymptomatic AR effects is given in this review. Data from field, clinical, and experimental studies are presented. Knowledge of these mechanisms might improve hazard characterization and identification of potential ecotoxicological risks associated with ARs, contributing to a safer use of these chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Popov Aleksandrov
- Immunotoxicology group, Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"- National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Bulevar despota Stefana, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Dina Tucovic
- Immunotoxicology group, Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"- National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Bulevar despota Stefana, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Jelena Kulas
- Immunotoxicology group, Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"- National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Bulevar despota Stefana, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Dusanka Popovic
- Immunotoxicology group, Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"- National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Bulevar despota Stefana, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Dragan Kataranovski
- Immunotoxicology group, Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"- National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Bulevar despota Stefana, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Milena Kataranovski
- Immunotoxicology group, Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"- National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Bulevar despota Stefana, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Ivana Mirkov
- Immunotoxicology group, Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"- National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Bulevar despota Stefana, Belgrade 11000, Serbia.
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10
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von Törne WJ, Klyk-Seitz UA, Piechotta C. Developing a GC-EI-MS/MS method for quantifying warfarin and five hydroxylated metabolites generated by the Fenton reaction. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:16986-16994. [PMID: 38329665 PMCID: PMC10894117 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32133-3] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Since the 1950s, Warfarin has been used globally as both a prescription drug and a rodenticide. Research has shown that warfarin and other rodenticides are present in the environment and food chain. However, emerging contaminants are subject to degradation by biotic and abiotic processes and advanced oxidation processes. In some cases, detecting the parent compound may not be possible due to the formation of structurally changed species. This approach aims to identify hydroxylated transformation products of warfarin in a laboratory setting, even after the parent compound has undergone degradation. Therefore, the Fenton reaction is utilized to insert hydroxylation into the parent compound, warfarin, by hydroxyl and hydroperoxyl radicals generated by Fe2+/Fe3+ redox reaction with hydrogen peroxide. Using multiple reaction monitoring, a GC-MS/MS method, incorporating isotopically labeled reference compounds, is used to quantify the expected derivatized species. The analytes are derivatized using trimethyl-3-trifluoromethyl phenyl ammonium hydroxide, and the derivatization yield of warfarin is determined by using isotopically labeled reference compounds. The method has a linear working range of 30 to 1800 ng/mL, with detection limits ranging from 18.7 to 67.0 ng/mL. The analytes are enriched using a C18-SPE step, and the recovery for each compound is calculated. The Fenton reaction generates all preselected hydroxylated transformation products of warfarin. The method successfully identifies that 4'-Me-O-WAR forms preferentially under the specified experimental conditions. By further optimizing the SPE clean-up procedures, this GC-MS-based method will be suitable for detecting transformation products in more complex matrices, such as environmental water samples. Overall, this study provides a better understanding of warfarin's degradation and offers a robust analytical tool for investigating its transformation products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wipert Jannik von Törne
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Richard-Willstätter-Straße 11, 12489, Berlin, Germany
- Technischen Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Urszula-Anna Klyk-Seitz
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Richard-Willstätter-Straße 11, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Piechotta
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Richard-Willstätter-Straße 11, 12489, Berlin, Germany.
- Technischen Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany.
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11
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Elliott JE, Silverthorn V, English SG, Mineau P, Hindmarch S, Thomas PJ, Lee S, Bowes V, Redford T, Maisonneuve F, Okoniewski J. Anticoagulant Rodenticide Toxicity in Terrestrial Raptors: Tools to Estimate the Impact on Populations in North America and Globally. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024. [PMID: 38415966 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) have caused widespread contamination and poisoning of predators and scavengers. The diagnosis of toxicity proceeds from evidence of hemorrhage, and subsequent detection of residues in liver. Many factors confound the assessment of AR poisoning, particularly exposure dose, timing and frequency of exposure, and individual and taxon-specific variables. There is a need, therefore, for better AR toxicity criteria. To respond, we compiled a database of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide (SGAR) residues in liver and postmortem evaluations of 951 terrestrial raptor carcasses from Canada and the United States, 1989 to 2021. We developed mixed-effects logistic regression models to produce specific probability curves of the toxicity of ∑SGARs at the taxonomic level of the family, and separately for three SGARs registered in North America, brodifacoum, bromadiolone, and difethialone. The ∑SGAR threshold concentrations for diagnosis of coagulopathy at 0.20 probability of risk were highest for strigid owls (15 ng g-1 ) lower and relatively similar for accipitrid hawks and eagles (8.2 ng g-1 ) and falcons (7.9 ng g-1 ), and much lower for tytonid barn owls (0.32 ng g-1 ). These values are lower than those we found previously, due to compilation and use of a larger database with a mix of species and source locations, and also to refinements in the statistical methods. Our presentation of results on the family taxonomic level should aid in the global applicability of the numbers. We also collated a subset of 440 single-compound exposure events and determined the probability of SGAR-poisoning symptoms as a function of SGAR concentration, which we then used to estimate relative SGAR toxicity and toxic equivalence factors: difethialone, 1, brodifacoum, 0.8, and bromadiolone, 0.5. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1-11. © 2024 His Majesty the King in Right of Canada and The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Elliott
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
- Applied Animal Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Veronica Silverthorn
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Simon G English
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Pierre Mineau
- Pierre Mineau Consulting, Salt Spring Island, Canada
- Biology Department, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sofi Hindmarch
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Philippe J Thomas
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Directorate, National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sandi Lee
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Victoria Bowes
- Animal Health Centre, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tony Redford
- Animal Health Centre, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
| | - France Maisonneuve
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Directorate, National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joseph Okoniewski
- Wildlife Health Unit, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Delmar, New York, USA
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12
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Martín-Cruz B, Cecchetti M, Simbaña-Rivera K, Rial-Berriel C, Acosta-Dacal A, Zumbado-Peña M, Henríquez-Hernández LA, Gallo-Barneto R, Cabrera-Pérez MÁ, Melián-Melián A, Suárez-Pérez A, Luzardo OP. Potential exposure of native wildlife to anticoagulant rodenticides in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain): Evidence from residue analysis of the invasive California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 911:168761. [PMID: 37996022 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs), particularly second-generation compounds (SGARs), are extensively used in pest management, impacting non-target wildlife. The California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae), an invasive species in Gran Canaria, is under a control plan involving capture and euthanasia. This research aimed to detect 10 different ARs in these snakes, explore geographical and biometrical factors influencing AR exposure, and assess their potential as sentinel species for raptors, sharing similar foraging habits. Liver samples from 360 snakes, euthanized between 2021 and 2022, were analysed for ARs using LC-MS/MS. Results showed all detected rodenticides were SGARs, except for one instance of diphacinone. Remarkably, 90 % of the snakes tested positive for ARs, with over half exposed to multiple compounds. Brodifacoum was predominant, found in over 90 % of AR-positive snakes, while bromadiolone and difenacoum were also frequently detected but at lower levels. The study revealed that larger snakes and those in certain geographic areas had higher AR concentrations. Snakes in less central or more peripheral areas showed lower levels of these compounds. This suggests a correlation between the snakes' size and distribution with the concentration of ARs in their bodies. The findings indicate that the types and prevalence of ARs in California kingsnakes on Gran Canaria mirror those in the island's raptors. This similarity suggests that the kingsnake could serve as a potential sentinel species for monitoring ARs in the ecosystem. However, further research is necessary to confirm their effectiveness in this role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Martín-Cruz
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera "Físico" s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
| | - Martina Cecchetti
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera "Físico" s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter. Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Simbaña-Rivera
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera "Físico" s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE), Quito, Ecuador
| | - Cristian Rial-Berriel
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera "Físico" s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Andrea Acosta-Dacal
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera "Físico" s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Manuel Zumbado-Peña
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera "Físico" s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), Spain
| | - Luis Alberto Henríquez-Hernández
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera "Físico" s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), Spain
| | - Ramón Gallo-Barneto
- Gestión y Planeamiento Territorial y Medioambiental, S.A. (GESPLAN). Canary Islands Government, C/León y Castillo 54, bajo, 35003 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Cabrera-Pérez
- General Directorate to Combat Climate Change and the Environment, Biodiversity Service, Canary Islands Government, Plaza de los Derechos Humanos, 22, 35071 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Ayose Melián-Melián
- Gestión y Planeamiento Territorial y Medioambiental, S.A. (GESPLAN). Canary Islands Government, C/León y Castillo 54, bajo, 35003 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Alejandro Suárez-Pérez
- Gestión y Planeamiento Territorial y Medioambiental, S.A. (GESPLAN). Canary Islands Government, C/León y Castillo 54, bajo, 35003 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Octavio P Luzardo
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera "Físico" s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), Spain
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13
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Carrillo-Hidalgo J, Martín-Cruz B, Henríquez-Hernández LA, Rial-Berriel C, Acosta-Dacal A, Zumbado-Peña M, Luzardo OP. Intraspecific and geographical variation in rodenticide exposure among common kestrels in Tenerife (Canary Islands). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 910:168551. [PMID: 37979878 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168551] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
This study assesses the impact of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) on the common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus canariensis) in Tenerife, Canary Islands. The analysis of 390 liver samples over 19 years using HPLC-MS/MS showed that 93.1 % of kestrels were exposed to SGARs in this island. A notable shift in SGAR profiles was observed, with bromadiolone and flocoumafen decreasing, while brodifacoum levels increased sharply from 2018 onwards. Comparatively, Tenerife kestrels had a higher detection frequency of SGARs (93.1 %) than those in the rest of the islands of the archipelago (68.2 %), with median concentrations nearly double (∑AR = 180.9 vs 102.4 ng/g liver, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, on average, kestrels from Tenerife were found to have a higher number of different rodenticide compounds per individual. A Generalized Linear Model (GLM) analysis revealed that several factors contribute to the likelihood of SGAR exposure: being an adult kestrel, the enactment of legal restrictions on SGAR bait concentrations in 2018, higher livestock density, and greater human population density. These findings suggest that both bioaccumulation over the birds' lifespans and environmental factors related to human and agricultural activity are influencing the levels of SGARs detected. Alarmingly, 44.7 % of kestrels had SGAR levels above the toxicity threshold established for other raptor species (200 ng/g liver), signaling a high poisoning risk. This is despite EU regulations to protect wildlife, with our findings indicating an increase in both exposure rates and SGAR concentrations since these laws were enacted. The data highlight a critical environmental threat to endemic species on islands like Tenerife. The common kestrel, not considered globally endangered, is nonetheless facing regional threats from SGAR contamination. These results emphasize the urgent need for effective regulations to address the persistent and growing impact of SGARs on island biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Carrillo-Hidalgo
- Island Ecology and Biogeography Research Group, University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands (IUETSPC), University of La Laguna, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Beatriz Martín-Cruz
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 35016, Spain
| | - Luis Alberto Henríquez-Hernández
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 35016, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Cristian Rial-Berriel
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 35016, Spain
| | - Andrea Acosta-Dacal
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 35016, Spain
| | - Manuel Zumbado-Peña
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 35016, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Octavio P Luzardo
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 35016, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), Madrid 28029, Spain.
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14
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Rahelinirina S, Rahajandraibe S, Rakotosamimanana S, Rajerison M. Assessing the effectiveness of intervention to prevent plague through community and animal-based survey. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0002211. [PMID: 38109297 PMCID: PMC10727364 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Bubonic plague, transmitted by infected flea bites, is the most common form of plague and, left untreated, can progress to the pneumonic form, which is highly contagious. Surveillance focusing on reservoir and vector is considered to be the main approach to prevent plague. Common rodent control methods include the use of rodenticide and snap traps but, in a plague context, the dispersal of fleas from killed animals may pose a serious health threat. Therefore, there is a need for strategies which address reservoir and vector control. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of combination of reservoir and vector control through community-based surveillance. Activities were implemented by local previously trained community agents in two active plague foci in Madagascar. Kartman bait stations containing rodenticide and insecticide were placed indoors while live traps were set outdoors. Small mammals were identified and killed with their fleas. Effectiveness of control measures was evaluated by comparison of plague incidence two years before and after intervention using data on reported human cases of plague from the Central Laboratory of Plague. A total of 4,302 small mammals were captured, with the predominance of the black rat Rattus rattus. Our results found a reduction in plague incidence in the treated site for at least two years after treatment. Community-based interventions played an important role in reducing contact between humans-rodents-fleas. Our study confirms the importance of animal surveillance during the low plague transmission season. The combination of reservoir and vector control with community involvement may be effective at reducing the risks of plague spillover to humans. The strategy of using Kartman bait stations indoors with live traps outdoors can be used to refine proactive plague prevention, however, due to the potential development of resistance to pesticides in flea and rat populations, overuse should be considered.
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15
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Cooke R, Whiteley P, Death C, Weston MA, Carter N, Scammell K, Yokochi K, Nguyen H, White JG. Silent killers? The widespread exposure of predatory nocturnal birds to anticoagulant rodenticides. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166293. [PMID: 37586529 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) influence predator populations and threaten the stability of ecosystems. Understanding the prevalence and impact of rodenticides in predators is crucial to inform conservation planning and policy. We collected dead birds of four nocturnal predatory species across differing landscapes: forests, agricultural, urban. Liver samples were analysed for eight ARs: three First Generation ARs (FGARs) and five SGARs (Second Generation ARs). We investigated interspecific differences in liver concentrations and whether landscape composition influenced this. FGARs were rarely detected, except pindone at low concentrations in powerful owls Ninox strenua. SGARs, however, were detected in every species and 92 % of birds analysed. Concentrations of SGARs were at levels where potential toxicological or lethal impacts would have occurred in 33 % of powerful owls, 68 % of tawny frogmouths Podargus strigoides, 42 % of southern boobooks N. bookbook and 80 % of barn owls Tyto javanica. When multiple SGARs were detected, the likelihood of potentially lethal concentrations of rodenticides increased. There was no association between landscape composition and SGAR exposure, or the presence of multiple SGARs, suggesting rodenticide poisoning is ubiquitous across all landscapes sampled. This widespread human-driven contamination in wildlife is a major threat to wildlife health. Given the high prevalence and concentrations of SGARs in these birds across all landscape types, we support the formal consideration of SGARs as a threatening process. Furthermore, given species that do not primarily eat rodents (tawny frogmouths, powerful owls) have comparable liver rodenticide concentrations to rodent predators (southern boobook, eastern barn owl), it appears there is broader contamination of the food-web than anticipated. We provide evidence that SGARs have the potential to pose a threat to the survival of avian predator populations. Given the functional importance of predators in ecosystems, combined with the animal welfare impacts of these chemicals, we propose governments should regulate the use of SGARs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raylene Cooke
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125, Vic., Australia.
| | - Pam Whiteley
- Wildlife Health Victoria: Surveillance, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee 3030, Vic., Australia
| | - Clare Death
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Vic., Australia
| | - Michael A Weston
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125, Vic., Australia
| | - Nicholas Carter
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125, Vic., Australia
| | - Kieran Scammell
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125, Vic., Australia
| | - Kaori Yokochi
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125, Vic., Australia
| | - Hao Nguyen
- National Measurement Institute, 1/153 Bertie Street, Port Melbourne 3207, Vic., Australia
| | - John G White
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125, Vic., Australia
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Carromeu-Santos A, Mathias ML, Gabriel SI. Widespread distribution of rodenticide resistance-conferring mutations in the Vkorc1 gene among house mouse populations in Portuguese Macaronesian islands and Iberian Atlantic areas. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:166290. [PMID: 37586516 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166290] [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: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence of widespread resistance to anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) in house mice pose significant challenges to pest control efforts. First-generation ARs were introduced in the early 1950s but resistance to these emerged later that decade. Second-generation rodenticides were then developed, with resistance being reported in the late 1970s. Research has linked resistance to ARs with mutations in the Vkorc1 gene, leading to the use of more toxic and environmentally harmful compounds. In this study, 243 tail tips of house mice from mainland Portugal and Southern Spain, the Azores and Madeira archipelagos were analysed for all 3 exons of the Vkorc1 gene. Mutations L128S, Y139C, along with the so-called spretus genotype Vkorc1spr are considered responsible for reduced susceptibility of house mice to ARs. All these sequence variants were broadly detected throughout the sampling regions. Vkorc1spr was the most often recorded among mainland populations, whereas Y139C was nearly ubiquitous among the insular populations. In contrast, L128S was only detected in mainland Portugal and four islands of the Azores archipelago. All first generation ARs such as warfarin and coumatetralyl are deemed ineffective against all Vkorc1 variants identified in this study. Second-generation bromadiolone and difenacoum should also be discarded to control populations carrying Vkorc1spr, Y139C or L128S mutations. Inadequate use of ARs in regions where resistant animals have been found in large proportions will result in the spreading of rodenticide resistance among rodent populations through the positive selection of non-susceptible individuals. Consequently, ineffectiveness of rodent control will increase and potentiate environmental contamination, hazarding non-target wildlife through secondary poisoning. We highlight the need for Vkorc1 screening as a crucial tool in rodent management, aiding in the selection of the most appropriate control/eradication method in order to prevent misuse of these toxic biocides and the spread of rodenticide resistance among house mouse populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Carromeu-Santos
- CESAM-Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M L Mathias
- CESAM-Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - S I Gabriel
- CESAM-Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia da Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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Chen Y, Lopez S, Reddy RM, Wan J, Tkachenko A, Nemser SM, Smith L, Reimschuessel R. Validation and interlaboratory comparison of anticoagulant rodenticide analysis in animal livers using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. J Vet Diagn Invest 2023; 35:470-483. [PMID: 37313802 PMCID: PMC10467459 DOI: 10.1177/10406387231178558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are used to control rodent populations. Poisoning of non-target species can occur by accidental consumption of commercial formulations used for rodent control. A robust method for determining ARs in animal tissues is important for animal postmortem diagnostic and forensic purposes. We evaluated an ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) method to quantify 8 ARs (brodifacoum, bromadiolone, chlorophacinone, coumachlor, dicoumarol, difethialone, diphacinone, warfarin) in a wide range of animal (bovine, canine, chicken, equine, porcine) liver samples, including incurred samples. We further evaluated UPLC-MS in 2 interlaboratory comparison (ILC) studies; one an ILC exercise (ICE), the other a proficiency test (PT). The limits of detection of UPLC-MS were 0.3-3.1 ng/g, and the limits of quantification were 0.8-9.4 ng/g. The recoveries obtained using UPLC-MS were 90-115%, and relative SDs were 1.2-13% for each of the 8 ARs for the 50, 500, and 2,000 ng/g spiked liver samples. The overall accuracy from the laboratories participating in the 2 ILC studies (4 and 11 laboratories for ICE and PT studies, respectively) were 86-118%, with relative repeatability SDs of 3.7-11%, relative reproducibility SDs of 7.8-31.2%, and Horwitz ratio values of 0.5-1.5. Via the ILC studies, we verified the accuracy of UPLC-MS for AR analysis in liver matrices and demonstrated that ILC can be utilized to evaluate performance characteristics of analytical methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Chen
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Bedford Park, IL, USA
| | - Salvador Lopez
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Bedford Park, IL, USA
| | - Ravinder M. Reddy
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Bedford Park, IL, USA
| | - Jason Wan
- Institute for Food Safety and Health, Illinois Institute of Technology, Bedford Park, IL, USA
| | - Andriy Tkachenko
- Center for Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - Sarah M. Nemser
- Center for Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Laurel, MD, USA
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Herring G, Eagles-Smith CA, Buck JA. Anticoagulant rodenticides are associated with increased stress and reduced body condition of avian scavengers in the Pacific Northwest. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023:121899. [PMID: 37244534 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Anticoagulant rodenticides (AR) have been used globally to manage commensal rodents for decades. However their application has also resulted in primary, secondary, and tertiary poisoning in wildlife. Widespread exposure to ARs (primarily second generation ARs; SGARs) in raptors and avian scavengers has triggered considerable conservation concern over their potential effects on populations. To identify risk to extant raptor and avian scavenger populations in Oregon and potential future risk to the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) flock recently established in northern California, we assessed AR exposure and physiological responses in two avian scavenger species (common ravens [Corvus corax] and turkey vultures [Cathartes aura]) throughout Oregon between 2013 and 2019. AR exposure was widespread with 51% (35/68) of common ravens and 86% (63/73) of turkey vultures containing AR residues. The more acutely toxic SGAR brodifacoum was present in 83% and 90% of AR exposed common ravens and turkey vultures. The odds of AR exposure in common ravens were 4.7-fold higher along the coastal region compared to interior Oregon. For common ravens and turkey vultures that were exposed to ARs, respectively, 54% and 56% had concentrations that exceeded the 5% probability of toxicosis (>20 ng/g ww; Thomas et al., 2011), and 20% and 5% exceeded the 20% probability of toxicosis (>80 ng/g ww; Thomas et al., 2011). Common ravens exhibited a physiological response to AR exposure with fecal corticosterone metabolites increasing with sum ARs (ΣAR) concentrations. Both female common raven and turkey vultures' body condition was negatively correlated with increasing ΣAR concentrations. Our results suggest avian scavengers in Oregon are experiencing extensive AR exposure and the newly established population of California condors in northern California will likely experience similar AR exposure if they feed in southern Oregon. Understanding the sources of ARs across the landscape is an important first step in reducing or eliminating AR exposure in avian scavengers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garth Herring
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
| | - Collin A Eagles-Smith
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Jeremy A Buck
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office, Portland, OR, 97266, USA
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Distribution of Four Vole Species through the Barn Owl Tyto alba Diet Spectrum: Pattern Responses to Environmental Gradients in Intensive Agroecosystems of Central Greece. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 13:life13010105. [PMID: 36676056 PMCID: PMC9865515 DOI: 10.3390/life13010105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Voles are the most common vertebrate pests in European agriculture. Identifying their distribution and abundance patterns provides valuable information for future management. Barn Owl diet analysis is one of the optimum methods used to record small mammal distribution patterns on large spatial scales. From 2003 to 2005, a total of 10,065 Barn Owl pellets were collected and analyzed from 31 breeding sites in the largest agroecosystem in Greece, the Thessaly plains. A total of 29,061 prey items were identified, offering deep insight into small mammal distribution, specifically voles. Four discrete vole species (Harting's vole Microtus hartingi, East European vole Microtus levis, Thomas's pine vole Microtus thomasi, and Grey dwarf hamster Cricetulus migratorius) comprised 40.5% (11,770 vole prey items) of the total Barn Owl prey intake. The presence and abundance of the voles varied according to underlying environmental gradients, with soil texture and type playing a major role. M. levis showed no significant attachments to gradients, other than a mild increase in Mollisol soils. It was syntopic in all sites with M. hartingi, which was the dominant and most abundant small mammal species, preferring non-arable cultivated land, natural grasslands, set-aside fields, and fallow land. M. thomasi was strictly present in western Thessaly and strongly associated with a sandy-clay soil texture and Alfisol soils. C. migratorius was the least represented vole (162 items), exclusively present in eastern Thessaly and demonstrating a stronger association with cereals, Mollisol soils, and an argillaceous-clay soil texture. This is the first study in Greece at such a large spatial scale, offering insights for pest rodents' distribution in intensive agroecosystems and their response to environmental gradients including soil parameters.
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Soleng A, Edgar KS, von Krogh A, Seljetun KO. Suspected rodenticide exposures in humans and domestic animals: Data from inquiries to the Norwegian Poison Information Centre, 2005-2020. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278642. [PMID: 36480523 PMCID: PMC9731470 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodent control is necessary to prevent damage and spread of disease, and the most common pesticides used for urban and rural rodent control are anticoagulant rodenticides. The aim of this present study was to present data on suspected exposure to rodenticides in humans and domestic animals in Norway based on inquiries to the Norwegian Poison Information Centre in the 16-year period from 2005 through 2020. A total of 4235 inquiries regarding suspected exposures to rodenticides were registered in the study period. Of these, 1486 inquiries involved humans and 2749 animals. Second generation anticoagulants were involved in 68% of human exposures and 79% of animal exposures. Dogs were the most frequent species involved in the animal exposures with 93% of the inquiries, while cats were second most frequent involved. Around 50% of the human inquiries concerned children at the age of 0-4 years. Only 2% of the cases were in the age group 10-19 years, while adults comprised 35% of the inquiries. Acute poisonings accounted for almost 100% of the inquiries among both humans and animals. The exposure was accidental in 99% of the animal exposures and in 85% of the human exposures. In humans, only 14 inquiries were regarding occupational related accidents. Misdeed or self-inflicted injury accounted for 15% of the human inquiries and were the cause of 79% of the severe poisonings. Severe poisoning was only assessed in 1% of the cases involving children under 5 years. In contrast, 17% of the inquiries concerning adults (≥20 years) were assessed as severe. Subsequently, to prevent human and animal rodenticide exposure, we urge the use of non-chemical methods such as sanitation, rodent proofing (a form of construction which will impede or prevent rodents access to or from a given space or building) and mechanical traps. Restricting the use of rodenticides to professional pest controllers (or other persons with authorisation), reinforcing high quality education of these persons, and securing compliance of the best codes of practice could be advocated to reduce accidental exposure to rodenticides in humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnulf Soleng
- Department of Pest Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Anita von Krogh
- Norwegian Poison Information Centre, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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21
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Ruiz-López MJ, Barahona L, Martínez-de la Puente J, Pepió M, Valsecchi A, Peracho V, Figuerola J, Montalvo T. Widespread resistance to anticoagulant rodenticides in Mus musculus domesticus in the city of Barcelona. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 845:157192. [PMID: 35810904 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Control of rodent populations is a big challenge because of the rapid evolution of resistance to commonly used rodenticides and the collateral negative impacts that these products may have on biodiversity. Second-generation anticoagulants are very efficient but different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Vkorc1 gene may confer resistance in rodents. We sequenced exons 1, 2 and 3 of the Vkorc1 gene from 111 mice (Mus musculus domesticus) captured across the city of Barcelona and found SNPs associated with resistance to first- and second-generation anticoagulants in all of them. Although most of the SNPs were associated with resistance to bromadiolone, we also found SNPs associated with resistance to brodifacoum. Out of all the individuals analyzed, 94.59 % carried mutations associated to introgression events with Mus spretus, a sympatric rodent species. Currently most of the chemical products for rodent control commercialized in the area are based on bromadiolone, although recent public control campaigns have already shifted to other products. Thus, the widespread occurrence of resistant mice to bromadiolone represents a challenge for rodent control in Barcelona and may increase the risk of secondary poisoning of animals preying on this species. Public health managers, pest control companies and citizens should be aware that the use of bromadiolone based products is ineffective and represents a risk for the environment, including human and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José Ruiz-López
- Estación Biológica de Doñana - CSIC, Calle Américo Vespucio 26, E-41092 Sevilla, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain.
| | - Laura Barahona
- Agencia de Salud Pública de Barcelona, Consorci Sanitari de Barcelona, Pl. Lesseps, 1, E-08023 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josué Martínez-de la Puente
- Departamento de Parasitología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Marta Pepió
- Agencia de Salud Pública de Barcelona, Consorci Sanitari de Barcelona, Pl. Lesseps, 1, E-08023 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrea Valsecchi
- Agencia de Salud Pública de Barcelona, Consorci Sanitari de Barcelona, Pl. Lesseps, 1, E-08023 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victor Peracho
- Agencia de Salud Pública de Barcelona, Consorci Sanitari de Barcelona, Pl. Lesseps, 1, E-08023 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Estación Biológica de Doñana - CSIC, Calle Américo Vespucio 26, E-41092 Sevilla, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Tomas Montalvo
- Agencia de Salud Pública de Barcelona, Consorci Sanitari de Barcelona, Pl. Lesseps, 1, E-08023 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
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22
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Toxicology Case Presentations. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2022; 53:175-190. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2022.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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23
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Saggese MD, Plaza P, Casalins L, Ortiz G, Ojeda V. Test Patagonia's raptors for rodenticides. Science 2022; 377:1054. [PMID: 36048952 DOI: 10.1126/science.ade2357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel D Saggese
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
| | - Pablo Plaza
- Grupo de Investigaciones en Biología de la Conservación, Laboratorio Ecotono, Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente, Universidad Nacional del Comahue-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Laura Casalins
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medio Ambiente, Universidad Nacional del Comahue-CONICET, Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Gala Ortiz
- College of Veterinary Sciences, La Plata University, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Valeria Ojeda
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medio Ambiente, Universidad Nacional del Comahue-CONICET, Bariloche, Argentina
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24
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Ravindran S, Noor HM, Salim H. Anticoagulant rodenticide use in oil palm plantations in Southeast Asia and hazard assessment to non-target animals. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 31:976-997. [PMID: 35699849 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-022-02559-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are used worldwide for the control of rodent pests and are the main method of control of rat pest populations in agricultural areas. The main aim of this review is to discuss the risk of ARs to non-target wildlife in oil palm areas in Southeast Asia, mainly Indonesia and Malaysia. We discussed AR use in oil palm areas and toxicities of ARs on target and non-target animals. We also reviewed published literature on wildlife species reported in oil palm areas in Southeast Asia and utilizing this information, we assessed the hazard risk of ARs to non-target wildlife in oil palm plantations. ARs are a secondary exposure hazard to rodent-consuming mammalian carnivores, such as leopard cats and civets, and rodent-consuming raptors, such as barn owls. Consumption of dead poisoned prey puts scavengers, such as water monitors, at high risk for AR exposure. Domestic livestock and granivorous birds are at high risk for AR exposure via primary exposure to toxic bait, while omnivores such as macaques and wild pigs are at moderate risk for both primary and secondary exposure to ARs. The effects of ARs on barn owls have been well studied in the field and in laboratory secondary toxicity studies. Thus, the nest-box occupancy and reproductive parameters of local barn owl populations can be monitored as an indicator of the AR exposure level in the area. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: No clinical trials were involved in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakinah Ravindran
- Barn Owl and Rodent Research Group (BORG), School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Hafidzi Mohd Noor
- Plant Protection Department, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hasber Salim
- Barn Owl and Rodent Research Group (BORG), School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia.
- Vector Control and Research Unit, School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia.
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25
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Elliott JE, Silverthorn V, Hindmarch S, Lee S, Bowes V, Redford T, Maisonneuve F. Anticoagulant Rodenticide Contamination of Terrestrial Birds of Prey from Western Canada: Patterns and Trends, 1988-2018. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:1903-1917. [PMID: 35678209 PMCID: PMC9540899 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As the dominant means for control of pest rodent populations globally, anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs), particularly the second-generation compounds (SGARs), have widely contaminated nontarget organisms. We present data on hepatic residues of ARs in 741 raptorial birds found dead or brought into rehabilitation centers in British Columbia, Canada, over a 30-year period from 1988 to 2018. Exposure varied by species, by proximity to residential areas, and over time, with at least one SGAR residue detected in 74% of individuals and multiple residues in 50% of individuals. By comparison, we detected first-generation compounds in <5% of the raptors. Highest rates of exposure were in barred owls (Strix varia), 96%, and great horned owls (Bubo virginianus), 81%, species with diverse diets, including rats (Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus), and inhabiting suburban and intensive agricultural habitats. Barn owls (Tyto alba), mainly a vole (Microtus) eater, had a lower incidence of exposure of 65%. Putatively, bird-eating raptors also had a relatively high incidence of exposure, with 75% of Cooper's hawks (Accipiter cooperii) and 60% of sharp-shinned hawks (Accipiter striatus) exposed. Concentrations of SGARs varied greatly, for example, in barred owls, the geometric mean ∑SGAR = 0.13, ranging from <0.005 to 1.81 μg/g wet weight (n = 208). Barred owls had significantly higher ∑SGAR concentrations than all other species, driven by significantly higher bromadiolone concentrations, which was predicted by the proportion of residential land within their home ranges. Preliminary indications that risk mitigation measures implemented in 2013 are having an influence on exposure include a decrease in mean concentrations of brodifacoum and difethialone in barred and great horned owls and an increase in bromodialone around that inflection point. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1903-1917. © 2022 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E. Elliott
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health DirectorateEnvironment and Climate Change CanadaDeltaBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Veronica Silverthorn
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health DirectorateEnvironment and Climate Change CanadaDeltaBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Sofi Hindmarch
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health DirectorateEnvironment and Climate Change CanadaDeltaBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Sandi Lee
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health DirectorateEnvironment and Climate Change CanadaDeltaBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Victoria Bowes
- Animal Health CentreBC Ministry of AgricultureAbbotsfordBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Tony Redford
- Animal Health CentreBC Ministry of AgricultureAbbotsfordBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - France Maisonneuve
- Science & Technology BranchEnvironment and Climate Change CanadaOttawaOntarioCanada
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26
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Kaddah MM, Fahmi AA, Kamel MM, Rizk SA, Ramadan SK. Rodenticidal Activity of Some Quinoline-Based Heterocycles Derived from Hydrazide–Hydrazone Derivative. Polycycl Aromat Compd 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/10406638.2022.2088576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed M. Kaddah
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Mustafa M. Kamel
- Industrial Area, El-Nasr Company for Intermediate Chemicals, Giza, Egypt
| | - Sameh A. Rizk
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sayed K. Ramadan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
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27
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Mahjoub T, Krafft E, Garnier L, Mignard A, Hugnet C, Lefebvre S, Fourel I, Benoit E, Lattard V. Asymptomatic Anticoagulant Rodenticide Exposure in Dogs and Cats—A French and Belgian Rural and Urban Areas Study. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2022; 4:907892. [PMID: 35647575 PMCID: PMC9131000 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2022.907892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are important tools for controlling rodent pests, but they also pose a health threat to non-target species. ARs are one of the most common causes of pet poisoning. However, exposure of domestic animals to subclinical doses of ARs is poorly documented. To study the random exposure of dogs and cats to ARs, feces from animals showing no clinical signs of rodenticide poisoning were collected from a network of French and Belgian veterinarians. We analyzed fresh feces from 304 dogs and 289 cats by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. This study showed a limited prevalence of AR exposure in dogs and cats of 2.6 and 4.5% respectively. In both species, access to the outdoors is a risk factor for ARs exposure. In contrast, the sex of the animals did not affect the ARs exposure status. The observation of the ratio of cis and trans isomers suggested primary exposure in dogs, but also in some cats. While primary exposure in dogs appears to be related to the use of ARs as plant protection products, primary exposure in cats may be malicious, as warfarin, an anticoagulant formerly used as a rodenticide and now used only in humans, was found in 4 of 13 exposed cats. Secondary exposure may also occur in cats.Our study showed reduced exposure in dogs and cats, compared to wildlife, which often has high exposure, especially in areas where rodent control is important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek Mahjoub
- USC1233 RS2GP, INRAe, VetAgro Sup, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Biochemistry, University of Manouba, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Emilie Krafft
- USC1233 RS2GP, INRAe, VetAgro Sup, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Léa Garnier
- USC1233 RS2GP, INRAe, VetAgro Sup, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Amélie Mignard
- USC1233 RS2GP, INRAe, VetAgro Sup, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | | | | | - Isabelle Fourel
- USC1233 RS2GP, INRAe, VetAgro Sup, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Etienne Benoit
- USC1233 RS2GP, INRAe, VetAgro Sup, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Virginie Lattard
- USC1233 RS2GP, INRAe, VetAgro Sup, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
- *Correspondence: Virginie Lattard,
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28
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Thornton GL, Stevens B, French SK, Shirose LJ, Reggeti F, Schrier N, Parmley EJ, Reid A, Jardine CM. Anticoagulant rodenticide exposure in raptors from Ontario, Canada. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:34137-34146. [PMID: 35034316 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-18529-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: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are used globally to control rodent pest infestations in both urban and agricultural settings. It is well documented that non-target wildlife, including predatory birds, are at risk for secondary anticoagulant exposure and toxicosis through the prey they consume. However, there have been no large-scale studies of AR exposure in raptors in Ontario, Canada since new Health Canada legislation was implemented in 2013 in an attempt to limit exposure in non-target wildlife. Our objective was to measure levels of ARs in wild raptors in southern Ontario to assess their exposure. We collected liver samples from 133 raptors representing 17 species submitted to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) in Ontario, Canada, between 2017 and 2019. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to quantitatively assess the level of exposure to 14 first- and second-generation ARs. Detectable levels of one or more ARs were found in 82 of 133 (62%) tested raptors, representing 12 species. The most commonly detected ARs were bromadiolone (54/133), difethialone (40/133), and brodifacoum (33/133). Of AR-positive birds, 34/82 (42%) contained residues of multiple (> 1) anticoagulant compounds. Our results indicate that AR exposure is common in raptors living in southern Ontario, Canada. Our finding that brodifacoum, difethialone, and bromadiolone were observed alone or in combination with one another in the majority of our sampled raptors indicates that legislative changes in Canada may not be protecting non-target wildlife as intended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace L Thornton
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
- Department of Pathobiology, Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Brian Stevens
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
- Department of Pathobiology, Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Shannon K French
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
- Department of Pathobiology, Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Leonard J Shirose
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
- Department of Pathobiology, Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Felipe Reggeti
- Animal Health Laboratory, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Nick Schrier
- Animal Health Laboratory, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - E Jane Parmley
- Department of Pathobiology, Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Alexandra Reid
- Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, 1 Stone Rd W, Guelph, ON, N1G 4Y2, Canada
| | - Claire M Jardine
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
- Department of Pathobiology, Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
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Sato R, Watanabe K, Kamata R, Takeda K. Development of a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify γ-glutamyl-carboxylated clotting factor IX and assess redox susceptibility of anticoagulant chemicals. J Vet Med Sci 2022; 84:804-808. [PMID: 35444089 PMCID: PMC9246686 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.22-0079] [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] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Anticoagulant chemicals (ACCs) such as warfarin are widely used in medical applications
as well as for their rodenticide properties. Their efficacy is greatly influenced by
polymorphisms in the gene encoding vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKOR). Evaluation of the
activity of ACCs toward VKOR variants is essential to determine their proper use.
Presently, this is achieved by co-expressing VKOR of Rattus Norvegicus
and human clotting factor IX in cultured cells and measuring inhibition of vitamin
K-dependent gamma-glutamyl carboxylation of factor IX (glaFIX) activity. However, glaFIX
has only been quantified using indirect methods like blood coagulation assays. We have
developed a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a glaFIX-specific antibody to
quantify glaFIX and used this to analyze inhibition of VKOR activity by warfarin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Sato
- Laboratory of Toxicology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University
| | - Kanami Watanabe
- Laboratory of Toxicology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University
| | - Ryo Kamata
- Laboratory of Toxicology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University
| | - Kazuki Takeda
- Laboratory of Toxicology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University.,Department of Computer Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology
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ANTICOAGULANT EXPOSURE IN GOLDEN EAGLE (AQUILA CHRYSAETOS) POWER LINE ELECTROCUTION AND WIND TURBINE MORTALITIES. J Wildl Dis 2022; 58:348-355. [PMID: 35100409 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-21-00144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) are susceptible to anthropogenic mortality factors, including toxic compounds in the environment such as anticoagulant rodenticides (AR) and sources of man-made energy. The physical and behavioral effects of some toxins may predispose eagles to certain causes of death (COD). To investigate the influence of ARs on mortality of Golden Eagles at wind turbine farms, we randomly tested liver samples from 31 eagles found dead on wind farms and submitted to the National Fish and Wildlife Forensic Laboratory from 2013-20. The comparison group was composed of 31 Golden Eagles sampled during the same time frame with a COD of power line electrocution as a proxy for a relatively lower effort and altitude activity. Associations between COD, AR exposure, sex, and life stage were assessed. In each group, 12 birds (35%) were found to have been exposed to brodifacoum or bromadiolone prior to death. Logistic regression showed no significant association between COD and sex (P=0.194) or life stage (P=0.895). Across both mortality types, life stage was not a significant predictor of AR exposure (P=0.725), but males were more likely to have been exposed to ARs (P=0.032). These findings suggest that there is no difference in the influence of anticoagulant exposure on higher and lower altitude activity in Golden Eagles.
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Moriceau MA, Lefebvre S, Fourel I, Benoit E, Buronfosse-Roque F, Orabi P, Rattner BA, Lattard V. Exposure of predatory and scavenging birds to anticoagulant rodenticides in France: Exploration of data from French surveillance programs. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 810:151291. [PMID: 34748846 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Wild raptors are widely used to assess exposure to different environmental contaminants, including anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs). ARs are used on a global scale for rodent control, and act by disruption of the vitamin K cycle that results in haemorrhage usually accompanied by death within days. Some ARs are highly persistent and bioaccumulative, which can cause significant exposure of non-target species. We characterized AR exposure in a heterogeneous sample of dead raptors collected over 12 years (2008-2019) in south-eastern France. Residue analysis of 156 liver samples through LC-MS/MS revealed that 50% (78/156) were positive for ARs, with 13.5% (21/156) having summed second-generation AR (SGAR) concentrations >100 ng/g ww. While SGARs were commonly detected (97.4% of positive samples), first-generation ARs were rarely found (7.7% of positive samples). ARs were more frequently detected and at greater concentration in predators (prevalence: 82.5%) than in scavengers (38.8%). Exposure to multiple ARs was common (64.1% of positive samples). While chlorophacinone exposure decreased over time, an increasing exposure trend was observed for the SGAR brodifacoum, suggesting that public policies may not be efficient at mitigating risk of exposure for non-target species. Haemorrhage was observed in 88 birds, but AR toxicosis was suspected in only 2 of these individuals, and no difference in frequency of haemorrhage was apparent in birds displaying summed SGAR levels above or below 100 ng/g ww. As for other contaminants, 17.2% of liver samples (11/64) exhibited Pb levels compatible with sub-clinical poisoning (>6 μg/g dw), with 6.3% (4/64) above the threshold for severe/lethal poisoning (>30 μg/g dw). Nine individuals with Pb levels >6 μg/g dw also had AR residues, demonstrating exposure to multiple contaminants. Broad toxicological screening for other contaminants was positive for 18 of 126 individuals, with carbofuran and mevinphos exposure being the suspected cause of death of 17 birds. Our findings demonstrate lower but still substantial AR exposure of scavenging birds compared to predatory birds, and also illustrate the complexity of diagnosing AR toxicosis through forensic investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meg-Anne Moriceau
- USC1233 RS2GP, INRAe, VetAgro Sup, Univ Lyon, F69 280 Marcy-l'Étoile, France; CNITV, VetAgro Sup, 1 avenue Bourgelat, 69 280 Marcy-l'Étoile, France
| | - Sébastien Lefebvre
- USC1233 RS2GP, INRAe, VetAgro Sup, Univ Lyon, F69 280 Marcy-l'Étoile, France
| | - Isabelle Fourel
- USC1233 RS2GP, INRAe, VetAgro Sup, Univ Lyon, F69 280 Marcy-l'Étoile, France
| | - Etienne Benoit
- USC1233 RS2GP, INRAe, VetAgro Sup, Univ Lyon, F69 280 Marcy-l'Étoile, France
| | | | - Pascal Orabi
- French Bird Protection League (LPO France), France
| | - Barnett A Rattner
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Virginie Lattard
- USC1233 RS2GP, INRAe, VetAgro Sup, Univ Lyon, F69 280 Marcy-l'Étoile, France.
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White-Tailed Eagles’ (Haliaeetus albicilla) Exposure to Anticoagulant Rodenticides and Causes of Poisoning in Poland (2018–2020). TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10020063. [PMID: 35202249 PMCID: PMC8878881 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10020063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
The white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is strictly protected in Poland due to its threat of extinction. This study’s main goal was to assess their exposure to indirect poisoning by anticoagulant rodenticides (AR). This study presents the investigation results of 40 white-tailed eagles’ suspected poisoning cases in the years 2018–2020 in Poland. In all tested liver samples, using a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry method, at least one of the AR (bromadiolone, brodifacoum, difenacoum, flocoumafen) was detected and confirmed. The other tested AR compounds (chlorophacinone, coumachlor, coumatetralyl, difethialone, diphacinone, warfarin) were not detected. The mean concentration of the sum of rodenticides was 174.4 µg/kg (from 2.5 to 1225.0 µg/kg). In 20 cases, the sum concentration was above 100 µg/kg and in 10 cases it was above 200 µg/kg. Interpretation of cases of AR poisonings should take into account their concentration in the liver, anatomopathological lesions, circumstances of death/finding of the animal, and elimination of other possible causes of poisoning. Based on this study, AR was the direct cause of death in 10% of incidents. Extensive use of rodenticides generates a high risk of poisonings of white-tailed eagles in Poland.
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Baker SE, Ayers M, Beausoleil NJ, Belmain SR, Berdoy M, Buckle AP, Cagienard C, Cowan D, Fearn-Daglish J, Goddard P, Golledge HDR, Mullineaux E, Sharp T, Simmons A, Schmolz E. An assessment of animal welfare impacts in wild Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) management. Anim Welf 2022. [DOI: 10.7120/09627286.31.1.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) are considered one of the most significant vertebrate pests globally, because of their impacts on human and animal health. There are legal and moral obligations to minimise the impacts of wildlife management on animal welfare, yet there are few
data on the relative welfare impacts of rat trapping and baiting methods used in the UK with which to inform management decisions. Two stakeholder workshops were facilitated to assess the relative welfare impacts of six lethal rat management methods using a welfare assessment model. Fifteen
stakeholders including experts in wildlife management, rodent management, rodent biology, animal welfare science, and veterinary science and medicine, participated. The greatest welfare impacts were associated with three baiting methods, anticoagulants, cholecalciferol and non-toxic cellulose
baits (severe to extreme impact for days), and with capture on a glue trap (extreme for hours) with concussive killing (mild to moderate for seconds to minutes); these methods should be considered last resorts from a welfare perspective. Lower impacts were associated with cage trapping (moderate
to severe for hours) with concussive killing (moderate for minutes). The impact of snap trapping was highly variable (no impact to extreme for seconds to minutes). Snap traps should be regulated and tested to identify those that cause rapid unconsciousness; such traps might represent the most
welfare-friendly option assessed for killing rats. Our results can be used to integrate consideration of rat welfare alongside other factors, including cost, efficacy, safety, non-target animal welfare and public acceptability when selecting management methods. We also highlight ways of reducing
welfare impacts and areas where more data are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- SE Baker
- University of Oxford, Department of Zoology, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - M Ayers
- Precision Pest Management Solutions Ltd, Iveson Drive, Leeds LS16 6BG, UK
| | - NJ Beausoleil
- Massey University, Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre, School of Veterinary Science, Palmerston North, 4410, New Zealand
| | - SR Belmain
- Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK
| | - M Berdoy
- University of Oxford, Biomedical Services, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - AP Buckle
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AS, UK
| | - C Cagienard
- Pest Solutions, 10 Seaward Place, Glasgow G41 1HH, UK
| | - D Cowan
- Newcastle University, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle, UK
| | | | | | - HDR Golledge
- Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, The Old School, Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead AL4 8AN, UK
| | | | - T Sharp
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Tocal Agricultural Centre, Paterson, NSW, Australia
| | | | - E Schmolz
- German Environment Agency, Section IV 1.4, Berlin, Germany
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Mercer MA, Davis JL, Riviere JE, Baynes RE, Tell LA, Jaberi-Douraki M, Maunsell FP, Lin Z. Mechanisms of toxicity and residue considerations of rodenticide exposure in food Animals—a FARAD perspective. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2022; 260:514-523. [DOI: 10.2460/javma.21.08.0364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A. Mercer
- 1Food Animal Residue Avoidance and Databank Program (FARAD), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Jennifer L. Davis
- 1Food Animal Residue Avoidance and Databank Program (FARAD), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Jim E. Riviere
- 2FARAD, Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- 3FARAD, 1DATA Consortium and Department of Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, Kansas State University-Olathe, Olathe, KS
| | - Ronald E. Baynes
- 2FARAD, Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Lisa A. Tell
- 4FARAD, Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Majid Jaberi-Douraki
- 3FARAD, 1DATA Consortium and Department of Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, Kansas State University-Olathe, Olathe, KS
| | - Fiona P. Maunsell
- 5FARAD, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Zhoumeng Lin
- 6FARAD, Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
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Oh HYP, Humaidi M, Chan QY, Yap G, Ang KY, Tan J, Ng LC, Mailepessov D. Association of rodents with man-made infrastructures and food waste in Urban Singapore. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2022; 12:2016560. [PMID: 35111287 PMCID: PMC8803118 DOI: 10.1080/20008686.2021.2016560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Yun Penny Oh
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mahathir Humaidi
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qian Yi Chan
- Environmental Public Health Operations Department, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Grace Yap
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kai Yang Ang
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jason Tan
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lee Ching Ng
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Diyar Mailepessov
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
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Okoniewski R, Neely S, Denn M, Djatsa A, Tran BN. Rapid method for the detection of rodenticides in contaminated foods. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2021; 1186:123005. [PMID: 34741935 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2021.123005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Rodenticides are toxic chemicals used to control rodent populations and are among the most common household toxicants. Ingestion of foods contaminated with rodenticides may cause severe illness or death in humans and animals. A rapid analytical method was developed for the identification of nine common rodenticides in foods using solid-liquid extraction followed by dispersive-solid phase extraction prior to the analysis by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and UV detection. The method validation on a variety of food matrices including cornmeal, peanut, whole wheat flour and pork liver produced average recoveries between 91.2 and 107% with relative standard deviations between 2.6 and 14% for all studied rodenticides. The method detection limits ranged from 2.7 to 8.2 μg/kg (ppb) for eight rodenticides analyzed by LC-MS/MS and between 0.10 and 0.21 mg/kg (ppm) for bromethalin which was analyzed by LC with UV detection. This method could be useful in preparedness for emergency response situations involving widespread food contamination, terrorist acts or for forensic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Okoniewski
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, United States
| | - Sarah Neely
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, United States
| | - Melinda Denn
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, United States
| | - Annie Djatsa
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, United States
| | - Buu N Tran
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, United States.
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Causes of Death in Stray Cat Colonies of Milan: A Five-Year Report. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113308. [PMID: 34828042 PMCID: PMC8614475 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113308] [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: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cats have been closely linked to humans for thousands of years. Nowadays, stray cats are frequently hosted in colonies, protected, and enrolled in programs of trap–neuter-–return to control population increase. Italian public veterinary services work in collaboration with voluntary colony caretakers and are responsible for neutering and monitoring the health of colony cats. This retrospective study, conducted by the Anatomical Pathology Unit of the Teaching Veterinary Hospital of Milan in collaboration with the public veterinary services, was undertaken because of the limited information available regarding causes of death of colony cats. The study reports on and statistically analyzes the causes of death of colony cats in the city of Milan as assessed by necropsy. Inflammatory processes including those consistent with the most relevant feline infectious diseases were most common in kittens and young cats. Trauma was more frequent in adult cats, while organ failure was the most common cause of death in aged cats. Considering the possible animal welfare issues deriving from colony cats, awareness of the most common causes of death and collaboration between university veterinary pathologists and public veterinary services represent an essential contribution to health monitoring of colony cats and can assist in the rapid detection of possible emerging animal welfare concerns. Abstract The presence of cats in urban environments has a long history. In Italy, stray cats are protected by national and regional laws, and programs of neutering and reintroduction to colonies are ongoing. Colony cats have been widely studied from a behavioral perspective, while surveys regarding their causes of death are limited, although they may provide relevant information related to public health and cat welfare. This retrospective study provides pathological descriptions and statistical analyses of the causes of death of 186 cats from 100 colonies in the city of Milan. Inflammatory processes represent the primary cause of death (37.7%) and include common feline infectious diseases such as feline panleukopenia (67.5%), particularly in kittens, and feline infectious peritonitis (32.5%), most common in adult cats. Trauma was found to be a common cause of death of young/adult cats (14%) with a generally good body condition, while severe parasitosis was less represented (2.6%). The death of old cats was statistically associated with organ failure (24.7%), particularly renal failure, and tumors (11.8%). Knowledge of the most common causes of death of colony cats could make an important contribution to the health monitoring of these cats and sanitary control of their habitats and provide information on possible related emerging animal welfare concerns.
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Rial-Berriel C, Acosta-Dacal A, Zumbado M, Henríquez-Hernández LA, Rodríguez-Hernández Á, Macías-Montes A, Boada LD, Travieso-Aja MDM, Martin-Cruz B, Suárez-Pérez A, Cabrera-Pérez MÁ, Luzardo OP. Epidemiology of Animal Poisonings in the Canary Islands (Spain) during the Period 2014-2021. TOXICS 2021; 9:toxics9100267. [PMID: 34678963 PMCID: PMC8540516 DOI: 10.3390/toxics9100267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Animal poisoning is one of the greatest conservation threats facing wildlife. In a preliminary study in the oceanic archipelago of the Canary Islands, we showed that the degree of threat from this circumstance was very high-even higher than that reported in other regions of continental Europe. Consequently, a legal framework for the effective prosecution of the crime of wildlife poisoning came into force in 2014 in this region. We present the results of the investigation of 961 animals and 84 baits sent to our laboratory for the diagnosis of animal poisonings during the period 2014–2021. We were able to identify poison as the cause of death in 251 animals and 61 baits. Carbofuran stands out as the main agent used in this archipelago. We have also detected an increasing tendency to use mixtures of several pesticides in the preparation of baits. The entry into operation of two canine patrols has led to the detection of more dead animals in the wild and a greater number of poisoned animals. The percentage of poison positives is significantly higher in areas with lower population density, corresponding to rural environments, as well as in areas with greater agricultural and livestock activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Rial-Berriel
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (C.R.-B.); (A.A.-D.); (M.Z.); (L.A.H.-H.); (Á.R.-H.); (A.M.-M.); (L.D.B.); (B.M.-C.)
- Study Group on Wild Animal Conservation Medicine (GEMAS), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrea Acosta-Dacal
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (C.R.-B.); (A.A.-D.); (M.Z.); (L.A.H.-H.); (Á.R.-H.); (A.M.-M.); (L.D.B.); (B.M.-C.)
| | - Manuel Zumbado
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (C.R.-B.); (A.A.-D.); (M.Z.); (L.A.H.-H.); (Á.R.-H.); (A.M.-M.); (L.D.B.); (B.M.-C.)
- Study Group on Wild Animal Conservation Medicine (GEMAS), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Alberto Henríquez-Hernández
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (C.R.-B.); (A.A.-D.); (M.Z.); (L.A.H.-H.); (Á.R.-H.); (A.M.-M.); (L.D.B.); (B.M.-C.)
- Study Group on Wild Animal Conservation Medicine (GEMAS), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángel Rodríguez-Hernández
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (C.R.-B.); (A.A.-D.); (M.Z.); (L.A.H.-H.); (Á.R.-H.); (A.M.-M.); (L.D.B.); (B.M.-C.)
| | - Ana Macías-Montes
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (C.R.-B.); (A.A.-D.); (M.Z.); (L.A.H.-H.); (Á.R.-H.); (A.M.-M.); (L.D.B.); (B.M.-C.)
| | - Luis D. Boada
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (C.R.-B.); (A.A.-D.); (M.Z.); (L.A.H.-H.); (Á.R.-H.); (A.M.-M.); (L.D.B.); (B.M.-C.)
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Beatriz Martin-Cruz
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (C.R.-B.); (A.A.-D.); (M.Z.); (L.A.H.-H.); (Á.R.-H.); (A.M.-M.); (L.D.B.); (B.M.-C.)
| | | | - Miguel Ángel Cabrera-Pérez
- General Directorate to Combat Climate Change and the Environment, Biodiversity Service, Canary Islands Government, Plaza de los Derechos Humanos, 35071 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain;
| | - Octavio P. Luzardo
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; (C.R.-B.); (A.A.-D.); (M.Z.); (L.A.H.-H.); (Á.R.-H.); (A.M.-M.); (L.D.B.); (B.M.-C.)
- Study Group on Wild Animal Conservation Medicine (GEMAS), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-928451424
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Stalder S, Vogler BR, Ammer H, Sinniger M, Albini S. Postmortem findings of secondary brodifacoum poisoning in a kestrel (
Falco tinnunculus
). VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/vrc2.194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Stalder
- National Reference Centre for Poultry and Rabbit Diseases Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Barbara R. Vogler
- National Reference Centre for Poultry and Rabbit Diseases Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Hermann Ammer
- Department of Veterinary Sciences Veterinary Faculty Institute of Pharmacology Toxicology and Pharmacy Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich Munich Germany
| | - Martin Sinniger
- Department for the Protection of Animals and the Environment (SPSA‐TU) Police Department of Canton Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Sarah Albini
- National Reference Centre for Poultry and Rabbit Diseases Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
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40
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A Method Scope Extension for the Simultaneous Analysis of POPs, Current-Use and Banned Pesticides, Rodenticides, and Pharmaceuticals in Liver. Application to Food Safety and Biomonitoring. TOXICS 2021; 9:toxics9100238. [PMID: 34678934 PMCID: PMC8539179 DOI: 10.3390/toxics9100238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The screening of hundreds of substances belonging to multiple chemical classes in liver is required in areas such as food safety or biomonitoring. We adapted a previous QuEChERS-based method in blood to the liver matrix and applied to these fields of study. The validation of the method allowed the inclusion of 351 contaminants, 80% with a LOQ < 2 ng/g. In the analysis of 42 consumer liver samples, we detected trace levels of 29 different contaminants. The most frequent and concentrated was 4,4’-DDE. POPs accounted for 66% of the compounds detected. In no case was the MRL reached for any of the contaminants detected. We also applied the method to 151 livers of wild birds to perform a biomonitoring pilot study in the Canary Islands. We detected 52 contaminants in 15 bird species. These were also mostly POPs, although high frequencies and concentrations of anticoagulant rodenticides (AR) and some other agricultural pesticides also stand out. POPs and AR contamination levels were significantly higher in terrestrial birds, raptors and particularly in nocturnal birds. Pesticide contamination levels were also higher in terrestrial birds, as well as in non-raptors and diurnal birds. The validated method is simple, robust, and sensitive and performs well in a variety of practical scenarios, where it can be carried out relatively quickly and inexpensively.
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41
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Walther B, Ennen H, Geduhn A, Schlötelburg A, Klemann N, Endepols S, Schenke D, Jacob J. Effects of anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning on spatial behavior of farm dwelling Norway rats. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 787:147520. [PMID: 34000553 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Commensal rodent species cause damage to crops and stored products, they transmit pathogens to people, livestock and pets and threaten native flora and fauna. To minimize such adverse effects, commensal rodents are predominantly managed with anticoagulant rodenticides (AR) that can be transferred along the food chain. We tested the effect of the uptake of the AR brodifacoum (BR) by Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) on spatial behavior because this helps to assess the availability of dead rats and residual BR to predators and scavengers. BR was delivered by oral gavage or free-fed bait presented in bait stations. Rats were radio-collared to monitor spatial behavior. BR residues in rat liver tissue were analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Norway rats that had consumed BR decreased distances moved and had reduced home range size. Treatment effects on spatial behavior seemed to set in rapidly. However, there was no effect on habitat preference. Ninety-two percent of rats that succumbed to BR died in well-hidden locations, where removal by scavenging birds and large mammalian scavengers is unlikely. Rats that ingested bait from bait stations had 65% higher residue concentrations than rats that died from dosing with two-fold LD50. This suggests an overdosing in rats that are managed with 0.0025% BR. None of the 70 BR-loaded rats was caught/removed by wild predators/scavengers before collection of carcasses within 5-29 h. Therefore, and because almost all dead rats died in well-hidden locations, they do not seem to pose a significant risk of AR exposure to large predators/scavengers at livestock farms. Exposure of large predators may originate from AR-poisoned non-target small mammals. The few rats that died in the open are accessible and should be removed in routine searches during and after the application of AR bait to minimize transfer of AR into the wider environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Walther
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Toppheideweg 88, 48161 Münster, Germany.
| | - Hendrik Ennen
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Toppheideweg 88, 48161 Münster, Germany
| | - Anke Geduhn
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Toppheideweg 88, 48161 Münster, Germany; German Environment Agency, Bötticher Straße 2 (Haus 23), Dahlemer Dreieck, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Annika Schlötelburg
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Toppheideweg 88, 48161 Münster, Germany; German Environment Agency, Bötticher Straße 2 (Haus 23), Dahlemer Dreieck, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Endepols
- Bayer AG, CropScience R & D, FS - Public Health, Rodent Management and SPP, Germany
| | - Detlef Schenke
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Ecological Chemistry, Plant Analysis and Stored Product Protection, Königin-Luise-Strasse 19, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens Jacob
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Toppheideweg 88, 48161 Münster, Germany
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Coronado-Posada N, Mercado-Camargo J, Olivero-Verbel J. In Silico Analysis to Identify Molecular Targets for Chemicals of Concern: The Case Study of Flocoumafen, an Anticoagulant Pesticide. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:2034-2043. [PMID: 33729601 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Rodenticides are pesticides used worldwide, with little information available regarding health consequences in wildlife and humans. The aim of the present study was to use virtual screening to identify potential targets for flocoumafen, a superwarfarin rodenticide. Blind docking of more than 841 human proteins was carried out employing AutoDock Vina. The strength of the ligand interaction with the proteins was quantified based on the binding affinity score (kcal/mol). Results indicate that flocoumafen could be a promiscuous ligand for diversity of cellular protein targets. The best complexes were obtained for prostaglandin F synthase (-14.2 kcal/mol) and serum albumin (-14.0 kcal/mol) followed by glucocorticoid receptor 2, matrix metalloproteinase-9, nuclear receptor ROR-alpha, and activin receptor type-1, all with values equal or better than -13.5 kcal/mol. Docking method validation based on the root-mean-square deviation showed that flocoumafen had good capability to predict corresponding co-crystallized poses; and molecular dynamics simulations suggested the complex with greater binding affinity was thermodynamically stable. Protein-protein interaction networks built with main protein targets revealed that protein kinase B (AKT1), ribosomal protein S6 kinase B1 (RPS6KB1), phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA), retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRA), and protein phosphatase 2 catalytic subunit alpha (PPP2CA) were major hub proteins, whereas the gene ontology analysis reported that cellular response to endogenous stimulus, protein binding, and the TOR complex were the biological processes, molecular function, and cell component enrichments, respectively. These results should motivate more ecotoxicity testing for flocoumafen and other superwarfarins, as well as precautionary legislation to minimize exposure to these highly toxic chemicals. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2034-2043. © 2021 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Coronado-Posada
- Environmental and Computational Chemistry Group, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
| | - Jairo Mercado-Camargo
- Group of Organic Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
| | - Jesus Olivero-Verbel
- Environmental and Computational Chemistry Group, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
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43
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Valverde I, Espín S, Gómez-Ramírez P, Navas I, María-Mojica P, Sánchez-Virosta P, Jiménez P, Torres-Chaparro MY, García-Fernández AJ. Wildlife poisoning: a novel scoring system and review of analytical methods for anticoagulant rodenticide determination. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2021; 30:767-782. [PMID: 33864551 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-021-02411-8] [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] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Valverde
- Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary Service, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - Silvia Espín
- Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary Service, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain.
- Toxicology and Risk Assessment Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Pilar Gómez-Ramírez
- Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary Service, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
- Toxicology and Risk Assessment Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - Isabel Navas
- Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary Service, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
- Toxicology and Risk Assessment Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pedro María-Mojica
- Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary Service, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
- "Santa Faz" Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Consellería de Agricultura, Medio Ambiente, Cambio Climático y Desarrollo Rural, Alicante, Generalitat Valenciana, Spain
| | - Pablo Sánchez-Virosta
- Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary Service, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pedro Jiménez
- Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary Service, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - María Y Torres-Chaparro
- Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary Service, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - Antonio J García-Fernández
- Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary Service, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain.
- Toxicology and Risk Assessment Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain.
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44
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Rial-Berriel C, Acosta-Dacal A, Cabrera Pérez MÁ, Suárez-Pérez A, Melián Melián A, Zumbado M, Henríquez Hernández LA, Ruiz-Suárez N, Rodriguez Hernández Á, Boada LD, Macías Montes A, Luzardo OP. Intensive livestock farming as a major determinant of the exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides in raptors of the Canary Islands (Spain). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 768:144386. [PMID: 33444862 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The Canary Islands (Spain) is a biodiversity hotspot, with more than 4500 registered endemic species. However, it is subject to high anthropogenic pressure that threatens its wildlife in various ways. In the context of forensic toxicological surveys, the presence of anticoagulant rodenticides (AR) has been investigated in the liver of 831 animal carcasses with georeferenced data from 2011 to May 2020. The high concentrations of toxic pesticides in carcasses and in baits found close to the corpses indicated that all the reptiles and most of the mammals tested positive for AR were intentionally poisoned, although mainly by other substances. The frequency of detection of AR in non-raptor birds (n = 343) was only 4.1%, being the Canary raven the most frequently affected species (7/97, 7.2%). On the contrary, in raptors (n = 308) the detection frequency was almost 60%, with an average of more than 2 ARs per animal. The highest concentrations were found in the common kestrel. We present for the first-time results of AR contamination in two species of raptors that are very rare in Europe, Eleonora's falcon (n = 4) and Barbary falcon (n = 13). The temporal trend of positive cases remains stable, but since the entry into force of the restriction to the concentration of the active ingredient in baits (<30 ppm), a decrease in the concentrations of these compounds in the raptors' liver has been detected. Conversely, we registered an increase in the number of ARs per animal. From the study of the geographic information system (GIS) it can be deduced that intensive livestock farms are an important determinant in the exposure of raptors to ARs. Those birds that have their territory near intensive production farms have higher levels of exposure than those of birds that live far from such facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Rial-Berriel
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Andrea Acosta-Dacal
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Cabrera Pérez
- General Directorate to Combat Climate Change and the Environment, Biodiversity Service, Canary Islands Government, Plaza de los Derechos Humanos, 22, 35071 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Alejandro Suárez-Pérez
- "Tafira" Wildlife Recovery Center, Ctra. Del Centro, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Ayose Melián Melián
- Gestión y Planeamiento Territorial y Medioambiental, S.A. (GESPLAN), Canary Islands Government, C / León y Castillo 54, bajo, 35003 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Manuel Zumbado
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), Spain
| | - Luis Alberto Henríquez Hernández
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), Spain
| | - Norberto Ruiz-Suárez
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Ángel Rodriguez Hernández
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Luis D Boada
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), Spain
| | - Ana Macías Montes
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Octavio P Luzardo
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), Spain.
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45
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Roos S, Campbell ST, Hartley G, Shore RF, Walker LA, Wilson JD. Annual abundance of common Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) is negatively associated with second generation anticoagulant rodenticides. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2021; 30:560-574. [PMID: 33770305 PMCID: PMC8060177 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-021-02374-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Rats and mice can damage food and agricultural products as well as transmit diseases, thereby requiring control of their numbers. Application of Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) often reduces rodent numbers locally. However, predators eating rodents, including non-target species, that have consumed SGARs may be secondarily exposed and potentially lethally poisoned. Here we study whether SGARs may have contributed to the widespread population declines of a rodent-eating raptor, the Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in the UK. We show that 161 (66.8%) of the 241 Kestrels submitted for ecotoxicology tests between 1997 and 2012 had detectable levels of at least one SGAR in their livers. Adult Kestrels had significantly higher prevalence of SGARs than juveniles, suggesting accumulation of SGARs through time. The prevalence and concentrations of individual SGARs in Kestrels were significantly higher in England than in Scotland. SGAR prevalence in Kestrels were positively associated with some land cover types, primarily arable cereals and broad-leaved woodland, and negatively associated with mainly mean elevation, probably reflecting variation in SGAR usage across land cover types. By using volunteer-collected data on national Kestrel abundance 1997-2012, we show that there is a negative correlation between the Kestrel population index in a specific year and the concentration of bromadialone as well as the total SGAR concentration in the same year. Although correlative, this is the first study to provide evidence for a potential population-limiting effect of SGARs on a raptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Staffan Roos
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, 2 Lochside View, EH12 9DH, Edinburgh, UK.
- Swedish Species Information Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7007, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Steve T Campbell
- Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA), Scottish Government, Roddinglaw Road, Edinburgh, EH12 9FJ, UK
| | - Gill Hartley
- Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA), Scottish Government, Roddinglaw Road, Edinburgh, EH12 9FJ, UK
| | - Richard F Shore
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK
| | - Lee A Walker
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK
| | - Jeremy D Wilson
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, 2 Lochside View, EH12 9DH, Edinburgh, UK
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46
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Oh KP, Shiels AB, Shiels L, Blondel DV, Campbell KJ, Saah JR, Lloyd AL, Thomas PQ, Gould F, Abdo Z, Godwin JR, Piaggio AJ. Population genomics of invasive rodents on islands: Genetic consequences of colonization and prospects for localized synthetic gene drive. Evol Appl 2021; 14:1421-1435. [PMID: 34025776 PMCID: PMC8127709 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduced rodent populations pose significant threats worldwide, with particularly severe impacts on islands. Advancements in genome editing have motivated interest in synthetic gene drives that could potentially provide efficient and localized suppression of invasive rodent populations. Application of such technologies will require rigorous population genomic surveys to evaluate population connectivity, taxonomic identification, and to inform design of gene drive localization mechanisms. One proposed approach leverages the predicted shifts in genetic variation that accompany island colonization, wherein founder effects, genetic drift, and island-specific selection are expected to result in locally fixed alleles (LFA) that are variable in neighboring nontarget populations. Engineering of guide RNAs that target LFA may thus yield gene drives that spread within invasive island populations, but would have limited impacts on nontarget populations in the event of an escape. Here we used pooled whole-genome sequencing of invasive mouse (Mus musculus) populations on four islands along with paired putative source populations to test genetic predictions of island colonization and characterize locally fixed Cas9 genomic targets. Patterns of variation across the genome reflected marked reductions in allelic diversity in island populations and moderate to high degrees of differentiation from nearby source populations despite relatively recent colonization. Locally fixed Cas9 sites in female fertility genes were observed in all island populations, including a small number with multiplexing potential. In practice, rigorous sampling of presumptive LFA will be essential to fully assess risk of resistance alleles. These results should serve to guide development of improved, spatially limited gene drive design in future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin P. Oh
- National Wildlife Research CenterUSDA APHIS Wildlife ServicesFort CollinsColoradoUSA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and PathologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Aaron B. Shiels
- National Wildlife Research CenterUSDA APHIS Wildlife ServicesFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Laura Shiels
- National Wildlife Research CenterUSDA APHIS Wildlife ServicesFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Dimitri V. Blondel
- Department of Biological SciencesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Karl J. Campbell
- Island ConservationPuerto AyoraEcuador
- School of Agriculture and Food SciencesThe University of QueenslandGattonQueenslandAustralia
| | - J. Royden Saah
- Island ConservationPuerto AyoraEcuador
- Genetic Engineering and Society CenterNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Alun L. Lloyd
- Genetic Engineering and Society CenterNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
- Biomathematics Graduate Program and Department of MathematicsNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Paul Q. Thomas
- The Robinson Research Institute and School of MedicineThe University of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Fred Gould
- Genetic Engineering and Society CenterNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of Entomology and Plant PathologyNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Zaid Abdo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and PathologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - John R. Godwin
- Department of Biological SciencesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
- Genetic Engineering and Society CenterNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Antoinette J. Piaggio
- National Wildlife Research CenterUSDA APHIS Wildlife ServicesFort CollinsColoradoUSA
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47
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Walther B, Geduhn A, Schenke D, Jacob J. Exposure of passerine birds to brodifacoum during management of Norway rats on farms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 762:144160. [PMID: 33373750 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144160] [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: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The exposure of non-target wildlife to anticoagulant compounds used for rodent control is a well-known phenomenon. Exposure can be primary when non-target species consume bait or secondary via uptake of poisoned animals by mammalian and avian predators. However, nothing is known about the exposure patterns in passerine birds that are commonly present on farms where rodent control is conducted. We used liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry to screen for residues of anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) in liver tissue of passerine birds that were present during rodent control with a product containing brodifacoum (BR). The 222 birds of 13 species were bycatch of rodent snap trapping in 2011-2013 on 11 livestock farms run synchronously with baiting. During baiting, ARs were detected in about 30% of birds; 28% carried BR. In liver tissue of 54 birds that carried BR, concentrations ranged from 4 to 7809 ng/g (mean 490 ± 169 ng/g). Among common bird species with AR residues, BR was most prevalent in robins (Erithacus rubecula) (44%) and dunnocks (Prunella modularis) (41%). Mean BR concentration was highest in great tits (Parus major) (902 ± 405 ng/g). The occurrence and concentrations of BR residues were about 30% higher in birds collected close to bait stations compared to birds collected further away. The results demonstrate that several ground feeding songbird species are exposed to ARs used on farms. If BR was present in liver tissue, concentrations were variable, which may imply a combination of primary and secondary exposure of songbirds. Exposure was mostly restricted to the immediate surroundings of farms where bait was used, which might limit the transfer to the wider environment. Efforts should be made to reduce the access for birds to AR bait to prevent high exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Walther
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Toppheideweg 88, 48161 Münster, Germany.
| | - Anke Geduhn
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Toppheideweg 88, 48161 Münster, Germany
| | - Detlef Schenke
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Ecological Chemistry, Plant Analysis and Stored Product Protection, Königin-Luise-Strasse 19, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens Jacob
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Toppheideweg 88, 48161 Münster, Germany
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Hinds LA, Grice D, Watson DM, Jacob J. Efficacy of a combined insecticide-rodenticide product on ectoparasite and commensal rodent mortality. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:1160-1168. [PMID: 33201557 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ectoparasites may transfer zoonotic pathogens from rodents to humans or livestock when rodents are managed with rodenticides. This could be minimized using a product combining a rodenticide with a delayed action and a systemic insecticide/acaricide that rapidly kills ectoparasites. Such a combination was tested in commensal pest rodent species to assess efficacy and timing of responses in rodents, and fleas and ticks feeding on them. Ticks or fleas attached to rats (Rattus norvegicus) and house mice (Mus musculus domesticus) were exposed to a product containing brodifacoum (50 ppm) and fipronil (40 ppm) for three days. RESULTS 98-100% of fleas on treated rodents died within one to two days after first exposure, whereas >90% fleas survived on control rodents. The effect persisted for four or more days after bait uptake. Ticks started to succumb to the effect of the combination product within one day (mice) and within four days (rats) of first exposure, with all ticks dying by Day (D)8. Tick survival in control rodents was 90-100%. Rodent mortality began at D3 (rats) and D4 (mice) after first consumption of product and all were dead by D9 (rats) and D7 (mice). CONCLUSION This product effectively killed ectoparasites and rodents. Flea mortality was swift and complete, generally within one day of exposure, whereas it took ticks up to four days to die, but before the rats and house mice died. The combination product might help to prevent ectoparasites migrating from dying rodents to another host. Field trials are warranted. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyn A Hinds
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Canberra, Australia
| | - David Grice
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Canberra, Australia
| | | | - Jens Jacob
- Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Münster, Germany
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Deák G, Árvay M, Horváth M. Using detection dogs to reveal illegal pesticide poisoning of raptors in Hungary. JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.25225/jvb.20110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Deák
- Magyar Madártani és Természetvédelmi Egyesület (MME)/BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary; e-mail: , ,
| | - Márton Árvay
- Magyar Madártani és Természetvédelmi Egyesület (MME)/BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary; e-mail: , ,
| | - Márton Horváth
- Magyar Madártani és Természetvédelmi Egyesület (MME)/BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary; e-mail: , ,
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Walther B, Geduhn A, Schenke D, Schlötelburg A, Jacob J. Baiting location affects anticoagulant rodenticide exposure of non-target small mammals on farms. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:611-619. [PMID: 32633096 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Commensal rodents such as Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus Berk.), black rats (R. rattus L.) and house mice (Mus musculus L.) damage stored produce and infrastructure, cause hygienic problems and transmit zoonotic pathogens to humans. The management of commensal rodents relies mainly on the use of anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs). ARs are persistent and bio-accumulative, which can cause exposure of non-target species. We compared the baiting strategies to use brodifacoum (BR) in bait boxes indoors only versus in and around buildings in replicated field trials at livestock farms to assess resulting BR residues in non-target small mammals. RESULTS When bait was used indoors only, the percentage of trapped non-target small mammals with BR residues as well as BR concentration in liver tissue was about 50% lower in comparison to bait application in and around buildings. These effects occurred in murid rodents and shrews but not in voles that were generally only mildly exposed. During the baiting period, BR concentration in murids was stable but decreased by about 50% in shrews. CONCLUSION Restricting the application of BR bait to indoors only can reduce exposure of non-target species. The positive effect of this baiting strategy on non-target species needs to be balanced with the need for an effective pest rodent management within a reasonable time. More research is needed to clarify which management approaches strike this balance best.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Walther
- Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Münster, Germany
| | - Anke Geduhn
- Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Münster, Germany
| | - Detlef Schenke
- Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Ecological Chemistry, Plant Analysis and Stored Product Protection, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annika Schlötelburg
- Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Münster, Germany
| | - Jens Jacob
- Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Münster, Germany
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