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Buckley JY, Murray MH, de la Sancha NU, Fidino M, Byers KA, Fyffe R, Magle S. Widespread exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides among common urban mesopredators in Chicago. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 952:175883. [PMID: 39222805 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175883] [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: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 08/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are currently the most common method to control rats in cities, but these compounds also cause morbidity and mortality in non-target wildlife. Little attention has been focused on AR exposure among mesopredators despite their ecological role as scavengers and prey for larger carnivores, thus serving as an important bridge in the biomagnification of rodenticides in food webs. In this study, we sampled liver tissue from raccoons (Procyon lotor; n = 37), skunks (Mephitis mephitis; n = 15), and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana; n = 45) euthanized by pest professionals and brown rats (Rattus norvegicus; n = 101) trapped in alleys in Chicago, USA to evaluate how often these species are exposed to ARs. We tested whether mesopredators had a higher prevalence of ARs and to more AR compounds compared to rats and calculated biomagnification factors (mean concentration in mesopredators/rats) as indicators of biomagnification. Of 93 sampled mesopredators, 100 % were exposed to at least one AR compound, mainly brodifacoum (≥80 %), and 79 % were exposed to multiple AR compounds. We also documented teal stomach contents consistent with the consumption of rat bait and altricial young tested positive to the same AR as their mother, suggesting mammary transfer. Of the 101 rats, 74 % tested positive to at least one AR compound and 32 % were exposed to multiple AR compounds. All mesopredator species had biomagnification factors exceeding 1.00 for brodifacoum (6.57-29.07) and bromadiolone (1.08-4.31). Our results suggest widespread exposure to ARs among urban mesopredators and biomagnification of ARs in mesopredators compared to rats. Policies that limit AR availability to non-target species, such as restricting the sale and use of ARs to licensed professionals in indoor settings, education on alternatives, and more emphasis on waste management may reduce health risks for urban wildlife and people in cities around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Y Buckley
- Dept. of Conservation and Science, Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N Clark St, 60614 Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Maureen H Murray
- Dept. of Conservation and Science, Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N Clark St, 60614 Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Noé U de la Sancha
- Department of Environmental Science and Studies, DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA; Negaunee Integrative Research Center, The Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mason Fidino
- Dept. of Conservation and Science, Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N Clark St, 60614 Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kaylee A Byers
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada; Pacific Institute on Pathogens, Pandemics, and Society, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada; Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Seth Magle
- Dept. of Conservation and Science, Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N Clark St, 60614 Chicago, IL, USA
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Szapu JS, Cserkész T, Pirger Z, Kiss C, Lanszki J. Exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides in steppe polecat (Mustela eversmanii) and European polecat (Mustela putorius) in central Europe. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 948:174282. [PMID: 38960164 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174282] [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: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Poisoning caused by coumarin-type anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) stands as the predominant method for controlling rodents globally. ARs, through secondary poisoning, pose a significant threat to predators due to their lethal and sublethal effects. We examined the concentration of accumulated ARs in liver samples of mostly road-killed steppe polecats (Mustela eversmanii) and European polecats (M. putorius) collected throughout Hungary between 2005 and 2021. The steppe polecat samples were found mainly from Eastern Hungary, while European polecats from Western Hungary. We measured the concentration of six residues by HPLC-FLD. Our analysis revealed the presence of one first-generation and four second-generation ARs in 53% of the steppe polecat (36) and 39% of the European polecat (26) samples. In 17 samples we detected the presence of at least two AR compounds. Although we did not find significant variance in AR accumulation between the two species, steppe polecats displayed greater prevalence and maximum concentration of ARs, whereas European polecat samples exhibited a more diverse accumulation of these compounds. Brodifacoum and bromadiolone were the most prevalent ARs; the highest concentrations were 0.57 mg/kg and 0.33 mg/kg, respectively. The accumulation of ARs was positively correlated with human population density and negatively correlated with the extent of the more natural habitats in both species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate anticoagulant rodenticide exposure in steppe polecats globally, and for European polecats in Central European region. Although the extent of AR accumulation in European polecat in Hungary appears comparatively lower than in many other European countries, the issue of secondary poisoning remains a serious problem as these ARs intrude into food webs. Reduced and more prudent usage of pesticides would provide several benefits for wildlife, included humans. However, we advocate a prioritization of ecosystem services through the complete prohibition of the toxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianna Szulamit Szapu
- Doctoral School of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/c, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Tamás Cserkész
- Hungarian Natural History Museum, Baross utca 13, 1088 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Zsolt Pirger
- HUN-REN Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Klebelsberg Kunó utca 3, 8237 Tihany, Hungary; National Laboratory for Water Science and Water Security, Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Klebelsberg Kunó utca 3, 8237 Tihany, Hungary.
| | - Csaba Kiss
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, Eszterházy Károly Catholic University, Eszterházy tér 1, 3300 Eger, Hungary.
| | - József Lanszki
- HUN-REN Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Klebelsberg Kunó utca 3, 8237 Tihany, Hungary; Institute of Animal Science, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Guba Sándor út 40, 7400 Kaposvár, Hungary.
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Vicedo T, Navas I, María-Mojica P, García-Fernández AJ. Widespread use of anticoagulant rodenticides in agricultural and urban environments. A menace to the viability of the endangered Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata) populations. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 358:124530. [PMID: 39004203 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124530] [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: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are one of the most toxic groups of compounds currently used worldwide for rodent pest control. Toxic baits are often, directly or indirectly, ingested by non-target animals, resulting in secondary poisoning and frequently affecting apex predators. Their presence in many species of raptors is quite common, particularly scavenger species, with some of these acting as sentinels for the presence of these substances in the environment. However, there is less data on the presence of ARs in Bonelli's eagle, one of the most endangered eagle species in Spain and which is experiencing a negative population trend in Europe. This medium-sized eagle feeds predominantly on live species, and rarely consumes carrion. In this study, 17 carcasses of Bonelli's eagles from the Eastern Spain were necropsied. Both first and second generation ARs in their livers were analyzed by HPLC-MS-TOF revealing that all the eagles studied had been exposed to at least 5 ARs, out of a total of 10 ARs analyzed, with 7 being the highest number of ARs detected in a sample. Second generation ARs were the most prevalent, particularly bromadiolone and brodifacoum, with the highest concentrations in 94% of the cases. More than a third of the eagles presented a liver concentration of greater than 200 ng/g ARs, suggesting AR poisoning. The elevated presence of these compounds in Bonelli's eagles could be a new cause of mortality for this species or could explain other causes of death, such as the increased mortality in power lines, and should be taken into account for their conservation. At the same time, the presence of these compounds in the environment also represents a risk to public health, as the most frequent species in the diet of Bonelli's eagle (rabbits and partridges) are also hunted and consumed by hunters and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Vicedo
- Service of Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Campus de Espinardo, Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain; Biodiversity Research Institute (CSIC -University of Oviedo - Principality of Asturias), Spanish National Research Council, Mieres Campus, Research Building, 33600, Mieres, Asturias, Spain
| | - I Navas
- Service of Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Campus de Espinardo, Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain; Toxicology and Risk Assessment Research Group, IMIB-Pascual Parrilla, University of Murcia, 30120 El Palmar, Spain.
| | - P María-Mojica
- Service of Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Campus de Espinardo, Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain; Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre "Santa Faz", VAERSA-Wildlife Service, Generalitat Valenciana, 03559 Santa Faz, Alicante, Spain
| | - A J García-Fernández
- Service of Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Campus de Espinardo, Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain; Toxicology and Risk Assessment Research Group, IMIB-Pascual Parrilla, University of Murcia, 30120 El Palmar, Spain
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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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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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Buckley JY, Needle DB, Royar K, Cottrell W, Tate P, Whittier C. High prevalence of anticoagulant rodenticide exposure in New England Fishers (Pekania pennanti). ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:1348. [PMID: 37857759 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11919-x] [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: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are increasingly recognized as a threat to non-target species including native wildlife. Fishers (Pekania pennanti) are generally considered deep forest inhabitants that are not expected to have high exposure to ARs. To evaluate the distribution and levels of ARs in fishers, we analyzed liver samples from fisher carcasses (N = 45) opportunistically trapped across Vermont and New Hampshire between 2018 and 2019. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to detect and quantify 11 different ARs in the liver tissue of each fisher at the time of trapping. All but one sample analyzed were positive for exposure to ARs, and 84% were positive for more than one type of AR. The most prevalent ARs detected were diphacinone (96%) and brodifacoum (80%). No samples had detectable levels of coumachlor, coumafuryl, difenacoum, pindone, or warfarin. These results are mostly consistent with findings for fishers in California as well as with a variety of rodent specializing avifauna throughout the Northeast USA but, show a higher prevalence of exposure and a different distribution of AR types than other studies. These results help establish current baseline exposure to ARs in fishers in the Northeast USA and suggest that ARs could pose a threat to wild mesocarnivore species in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Y Buckley
- Tufts Center for Conservation Medicine, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA.
| | - David B Needle
- New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 03824, USA
| | | | | | - Patrick Tate
- New Hampshire Fish and Game, Concord, NH, 03301, USA
| | - Christopher Whittier
- Tufts Center for Conservation Medicine, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, 01536, 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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Herring G, Eagles-Smith CA, Wolstenholme R, Welch A, West C, Rattner BA. Collateral damage: Anticoagulant rodenticides pose threats to California condors. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 311:119925. [PMID: 35988680 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are widespread environmental contaminants that pose risks to scavenging birds because they routinely occur within their prey and can cause secondary poisoning. However, little is known about AR exposure in one of the rarest avian scavengers in the world, the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus). We assessed AR exposure in California condors and surrogate turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) to gauge potential hazard to a proposed future condor flock by determining how application rate and environmental factors influence exposure. Additionally, we examined whether ARs might be correlated with prolonged blood clotting time and potential mortality in condors. Only second-generation ARs (SGARs) were detected, and exposure was detected in all condor flocks. Liver AR residues were detected in 42% of the condors (27 of 65) and 93% of the turkey vultures (66 of 71). Although concentrations were generally low (<10 ng/g ww), 48% of the California condors and 64% of the turkey vultures exposed to ARs exceeded the 5% probability of exhibiting signs of toxicosis (>20 ng/g ww), and 10% and 13% exceeded the 20% probability of exhibiting signs toxicosis (>80 ng/g ww). There was evidence of prolonged blood clotting time in 16% of the free-flying condors. For condors, there was a relationship between the interaction of AR exposure index (legal use across regions where condors existed) and precipitation, and the probability of detecting ARs in liver. Exposure to ARs may complicate recovery efforts of condor populations within their current range and in the soon to be established northern California experimental population. Continued monitoring of AR exposure using plasma blood clotting assays and residue analysis would allow for an improved understanding of their hazard to condors, particularly if paired with recent movement data that could elucidate exposure sources on the landscape occupied by this endangered species.
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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.
| | - Rachel Wolstenholme
- Pinnacles National Park, Paicines, CA, 95043, USA; Current: National Park Service, Interior Regions 8, 9, 10, & 12, San Francisco, CA, 94104, USA
| | - Alacia Welch
- Pinnacles National Park, Paicines, CA, 95043, USA
| | - Chris West
- Yurok Tribe Wildlife Department, Klamath, CA, 95548, USA
| | - Barnett A Rattner
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
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9
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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: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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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10
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Cooke R, Whiteley P, Jin Y, Death C, Weston MA, Carter N, White JG. Widespread exposure of powerful owls to second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides in Australia spans an urban to agricultural and forest landscape. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 819:153024. [PMID: 35026248 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The powerful owl (Ninox strenua) is a threatened apex predator that consumes mainly arboreal marsupial prey. Low density populations reside in urban landscapes where their viability is tenuous. The catalyst for this research was the reported death of eight powerful owls around Melbourne, Australia, in less than one year (2020/2021). Eighteen deceased owls were toxicologically screened. We assessed toxic metals (Mercury Hg, Lead Pb, Cadmium Cd and Arsenic As) and anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) in liver (n = 18 owls) and an extensive range of agricultural chemicals in muscle (n = 14). Almost all agricultural chemicals were below detection limits except for p,p-DDE, which was detected in 71% of birds at relatively low levels. Toxic metals detected in some individuals were generally at low levels. However, ARs were detected in 83.3% of powerful owls. The most common second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide (SGAR) detected was brodifacoum, which was present in every bird in which a rodenticide was detected. Brodifacoum was often present at toxic levels and in some instances at potentially lethal levels. Presence of brodifacoum was detected across the complete urban-forest/agriculture gradient, suggesting widespread exposure. Powerful owls do not scavenge but prey upon arboreal marsupials, and generally not rodents, suggesting that brodifacoum is entering the powerful owl food web via accidental or deliberate poisoning of non-target species (possums). We highlight a critical need to investigate SGARs in food webs globally, and not just in species directly targeted for poisoning or their predators.
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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 Hwy, Burwood 3125, Vic., Australia.
| | - Pam Whiteley
- Wildlife Health Victoria: Surveillance, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee 3030, Vic., Australia
| | - Yun Jin
- 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 3030, Vic., Australia
| | - Michael A Weston
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Hwy, 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 Hwy, Burwood 3125, Vic., Australia
| | - John G White
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood 3125, Vic., Australia
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11
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Evans BE, Mortelliti A. Effects of forest disturbance, snow depth, and intraguild dynamics on American marten and fisher occupancy in Maine,
USA. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bryn E. Evans
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology University of Maine Orono Maine USA
| | - Alessio Mortelliti
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology University of Maine Orono Maine USA
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12
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Lewis JC, Jenkins KJ, Happe PJ, Manson DJ, Griffin PC. Post‐release survival of translocated fishers: implications for translocation success. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey C. Lewis
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife P.O. Box 43200 Olympia 98504 WA USA
| | - Kurt J. Jenkins
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center 600 E. Park Ave. Port Angeles 98362 WA USA
| | | | - David J. Manson
- Olympic National Park 600 E. Park Ave. Port Angeles 98362 WA USA
| | - Paul C. Griffin
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center 600 E. Park Ave. Port Angeles 98362 WA USA
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13
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Klassen M, Anthony BP. Legalization of Cannabis and Agricultural Frontier Expansion. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 69:333-352. [PMID: 34748069 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-021-01555-x] [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: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The environmental impacts of cannabis cultivation have been an issue of growing concern, with legalization often framed as a means to introduce regulations that hinder damaging practices. However, the concept of frontier expansion presents the possibility that the widespread establishment of this new industry may institute an additional source of habitat encroachment. Here, through geospatial analysis, we employ Colorado as a case study to investigate the distribution of licensed recreational cannabis cultivators, potential habitat infringement of threatened and endangered species, and LULC change. From 2011 to 2016, licensed cannabis cultivation has resulted in over 67 ha of LULC change toward more developed land uses. In addition, nearly 15 km of new fencing was constructed establishing over 38 ha of fenced areas, and nearly 60 ha of vegetation was cleared. Much of this cannabis-driven LULC change is identified within the habitats of threatened and endangered species, as well as areas recognized as containing high biodiversity values with the potential for conservation. Thus, notable cannabis-driven frontier expansion is evident. Cannabis-driven LULC change is found to be primarily produced by outdoor and greenhouse facilities, as well as operations utilizing mixed-cultivation methods in rural areas. Therefore, policy instruments that inter alia encourage indoor cannabis cultivation in urban areas are recommended and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Klassen
- 108 Riverhead Road, Kumeu 0892, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Brandon P Anthony
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, Central European University, Quellenstrasse 51-55, 1100, Vienna, Austria
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14
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15
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Martin ME, Delheimer MS, Gabriel MW, Wengert GM, Moriarty KM. Combined field and clinical methods clarify mortality causes and survival patterns of Pacific martens. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marie E. Martin
- Oregon State University Institute for Natural Resources 2112 Southwest 5th Avenue Portland OR 97212 USA
| | - Matthew S. Delheimer
- USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station 2480 Carson Road Placerville CA 95667 USA
| | - Mourad W. Gabriel
- Integral Ecology Research Center 239 Railroad Avenue Blue Lake CA 95525 USA
| | - Greta M. Wengert
- Integral Ecology Research Center 239 Railroad Avenue Blue Lake CA 95525 USA
| | - Katie M. Moriarty
- National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc. 227 3rd StreetCorvallis OR 97330 USA
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16
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Parker‐Shames P, Choi C, Butsic V, Green D, Barry B, Moriarty K, Levi T, Brashares JS. The spatial overlap of small‐scale cannabis farms with aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe Parker‐Shames
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management University of California Berkeley Berkeley California USA
- Cannabis Research Center at Berkeley University of California Berkeley Berkeley California USA
| | - Christopher Choi
- NASA DEVELOP National Program NASA Langley Research Center Hampton Virginia USA
| | - Van Butsic
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management University of California Berkeley Berkeley California USA
- Cannabis Research Center at Berkeley University of California Berkeley Berkeley California USA
| | - David Green
- Institute for Natural Resources Oregon State University Corvallis Oregon USA
| | - Brent Barry
- Confederated Tribes of the Grande Ronde Grande Ronde Oregon USA
| | - Katie Moriarty
- National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc (NCASI) Cary North Carolina USA
| | - Taal Levi
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Oregon State University Corvallis Oregon USA
| | - Justin S. Brashares
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management University of California Berkeley Berkeley California USA
- Cannabis Research Center at Berkeley University of California Berkeley Berkeley California USA
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17
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Wengert GM, Higley JM, Gabriel MW, Rustigian-Romsos H, Spencer WD, Clifford DL, Thompson C. Distribution of trespass cannabis cultivation and its risk to sensitive forest predators in California and Southern Oregon. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256273. [PMID: 34469430 PMCID: PMC8409643 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Illegal cannabis cultivation on public lands has emerged as a major threat to wildlife in California and southern Oregon due to the rampant use of pesticides, habitat destruction, and water diversions associated with trespass grow sites. The spatial distribution of cultivation sites, and the factors influencing where they are placed, remain largely unknown due to covert siting practices and limited surveillance funding. We obtained cannabis grow-site locality data from law enforcement agencies and used them to model the potential distribution of cultivation sites in forested regions of California and southern Oregon using maximum entropy (MaxEnt) methods. We mapped the likely distribution of trespass cannabis cultivation sites and identified environmental variables influencing where growers establish their plots to better understand the cumulative impacts of trespass cannabis cultivation on wildlife. We overlaid the resulting grow-site risk maps with habitat distribution maps for three forest species of conservation concern: Pacific fisher (Pekania pennanti), Humboldt marten (Martes caurina humboldtensis), and northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina). Results indicate that cannabis cultivation is fairly predictably distributed on public lands in low to mid-elevation (~800-1600m) forests and on moderate slopes (~30-60%). Somewhat paradoxically, results also suggest that growers either preferred sites inside of recently disturbed vegetation (especially those burned 8-12 years prior to cultivation) or well outside (>500m) of recent disturbance, perhaps indicating avoidance of open edges. We ground-truthed the model by surveying randomly selected stream courses for cultivation site presence in subsets of the modeling region and found previously undiscovered sites mostly within areas with predicted high likelihood of grow-site occurrence. Moderate to high-likelihood areas of trespass cultivation overlapped with 40 to 48% of modeled habitats of the three sensitive species. For the endangered southern Sierra Nevada fisher population, moderate-high likelihood growing areas overlapped with over 37% of modeled fisher denning habitat and with 100% of annual female fisher home ranges (mean overlap = 48.0% + 27.0 SD; n = 134) in two intensively studied populations on the Sierra National Forest. Locating and reclaiming contaminated cannabis grow sites by removing all environmental contaminants should be a high priority for resource managers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta M. Wengert
- Integral Ecology Research Center, Blue Lake, California, United States of America
| | - J. Mark Higley
- Wildlife Department, Hoopa Tribal Forestry, Hoopa, California, United States of America
| | - Mourad W. Gabriel
- Integral Ecology Research Center, Blue Lake, California, United States of America
- United States Forest Service, Law Enforcement and Investigations, Vallejo, California, United States of America
- University of California Davis, One Health Institute, Wildlife Health Center, Davis, California, United States of America
| | | | - Wayne D. Spencer
- Conservation Biology Institute, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Deana L. Clifford
- Wildlife Investigations Laboratory, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rancho Cordova, California, United States of America
| | - Craig Thompson
- United States Forest Service, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
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18
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Zheng Z, Fiddes K, Yang L. A narrative review on environmental impacts of cannabis cultivation. J Cannabis Res 2021; 3:35. [PMID: 34362475 PMCID: PMC8349047 DOI: 10.1186/s42238-021-00090-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Interest in growing cannabis for medical and recreational purposes is increasing worldwide. This study reviews the environmental impacts of cannabis cultivation. Results show that both indoor and outdoor cannabis growing is water-intensive. The high water demand leads to water pollution and diversion, which could negatively affect the ecosystem. Studies found out that cannabis plants emit a significant amount of biogenic volatile organic compounds, which could cause indoor air quality issues. Indoor cannabis cultivation is energy-consuming, mainly due to heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and lighting. Energy consumption leads to greenhouse gas emissions. Cannabis cultivation could directly contribute to soil erosion. Meanwhile, cannabis plants have the ability to absorb and store heavy metals. It is envisioned that technologies such as precision irrigation could reduce water use, and application of tools such as life cycle analysis would advance understanding of the environmental impacts of cannabis cultivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonghua Zheng
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Kelsey Fiddes
- Department of Health Sciences Environmental Health and Sustainability Program, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, 61790, USA
| | - Liangcheng Yang
- Department of Health Sciences Environmental Health and Sustainability Program, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, 61790, USA.
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19
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Valverde I, Espín S, Gómez-Ramírez P, Navas I, Sánchez-Virosta P, Torres-Chaparro MY, Jiménez P, María-Mojica P, García-Fernández AJ. Temporal Persistence of Bromadiolone in Decomposing Bodies of Common Kestrel ( Falco tinnunculus). TOXICS 2020; 8:toxics8040098. [PMID: 33171863 PMCID: PMC7711720 DOI: 10.3390/toxics8040098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Bromadiolone is a second generation anticoagulant rodenticide (SGAR) used to control pest rodents worldwide. SGARs are frequently involved in secondary poisoning in rodent predators due to their persistence and toxicity. This study aims to evaluate the persistence of bromadiolone in liver at different stages of carcass decomposition in experimentally-dosed common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) to understand the possibility of detecting bromadiolone in cases of wildlife poisoning and the potential risk of tertiary poisoning. Twelve individuals were divided into the bromadiolone-dose group (dosed with 55 mg/kg b.w) and the control group. Hepatic bromadiolone concentrations found in each stage of decomposition were: 3000, 2891, 4804, 4245, 8848, and 756 ng/g dry weight at 1–2 h (fresh carcass), 24 h (moderate decomposition), 72 h, 96 h (advanced decomposition), seven days (very advanced decomposition), and 15 days (initial skeletal reduction) after death, respectively. Liver bromadiolone concentrations in carcasses remained relatively stable over the first four days and raised on day 7 of decomposition under the specific conditions of this experiment, presenting a risk of causing tertiary poisoning. However, at the initial skeletal reduction stage, liver bromadiolone concentration declined, which should be considered to interpret toxicological analyses and for proper diagnosis. This experimental study provides for the first time some light to better understand the degradation of SGARs in carcasses in the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Valverde
- Service of Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus de Espinardo, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (I.V.); (P.G.-R.); (I.N.); (P.S.-V.); (M.Y.T.-C.); (P.J.); (P.M.-M.)
| | - Silvia Espín
- Service of Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus de Espinardo, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (I.V.); (P.G.-R.); (I.N.); (P.S.-V.); (M.Y.T.-C.); (P.J.); (P.M.-M.)
- Correspondence: (S.E.); (A.J.G.-F.); Tel.: +34-868884317 (S.E.); +34-868887021 (A.J.G.-F.)
| | - Pilar Gómez-Ramírez
- Service of Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus de Espinardo, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (I.V.); (P.G.-R.); (I.N.); (P.S.-V.); (M.Y.T.-C.); (P.J.); (P.M.-M.)
| | - Isabel Navas
- Service of Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus de Espinardo, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (I.V.); (P.G.-R.); (I.N.); (P.S.-V.); (M.Y.T.-C.); (P.J.); (P.M.-M.)
| | - Pablo Sánchez-Virosta
- Service of Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus de Espinardo, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (I.V.); (P.G.-R.); (I.N.); (P.S.-V.); (M.Y.T.-C.); (P.J.); (P.M.-M.)
| | - María Y. Torres-Chaparro
- Service of Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus de Espinardo, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (I.V.); (P.G.-R.); (I.N.); (P.S.-V.); (M.Y.T.-C.); (P.J.); (P.M.-M.)
| | - Pedro Jiménez
- Service of Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus de Espinardo, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (I.V.); (P.G.-R.); (I.N.); (P.S.-V.); (M.Y.T.-C.); (P.J.); (P.M.-M.)
| | - Pedro María-Mojica
- Service of Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus de Espinardo, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (I.V.); (P.G.-R.); (I.N.); (P.S.-V.); (M.Y.T.-C.); (P.J.); (P.M.-M.)
- Santa-Faz Wildlife Recovery Center, Consellería de Agricultura, Desarrollo Rural, Emergencia Climática y Transición Ecológica, Alicante, 03559 Generalitat Valenciana, Spain
| | - Antonio J. García-Fernández
- Service of Toxicology and Forensic Veterinary, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus de Espinardo, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (I.V.); (P.G.-R.); (I.N.); (P.S.-V.); (M.Y.T.-C.); (P.J.); (P.M.-M.)
- Correspondence: (S.E.); (A.J.G.-F.); Tel.: +34-868884317 (S.E.); +34-868887021 (A.J.G.-F.)
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20
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Dillis C, McIntee C, Butsic V, Le L, Grady K, Grantham T. Water storage and irrigation practices for cannabis drive seasonal patterns of water extraction and use in Northern California. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 272:110955. [PMID: 32677619 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
There is growing concern over the impacts of cannabis farms on the environment and water resources in particular, yet data on cultivation practices and water use patterns have been limited. Estimates of water use for cannabis cultivation have previously relied on extrapolated values of plant water demand, which do not account for differences in cultivation practices, variation across the growing season, or the role of water storage in altering seasonal extraction patterns. The current study uses data reported by enrollees in California's North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board Cannabis Program to model how variation in cultivation practices and the use of stored water affect the timing and amount of water extracted from the environment. We found that the supplemental use of stored water resulted in a seasonal pattern of water extraction (water withdrawals from the environment) that was distinct from water demand (water applied to plants). Although water input to storage in the off-season months (November through March) reduced water extraction in the growing season (April through October), farms generally did not have sufficient storage to completely forbear from surface water extraction during the growing season. The most important predictors of storage sufficiency were type of storage infrastructure, type of water source, and farm size, with the likelihood of sufficiency decreasing with increasing cultivation area. As of 2019, state cannabis regulations require forbearance from surface water diversions from April through October. To comply, farms relying on surface water must either develop storage, reduce water demand, or seek alternative water sources, such as groundwater. Our findings indicate that water extraction from farms using groundwater wells generally occurs during the summer dry season and highlight the need to assess their potential impacts to connected surface water in streams. Finally, given that the current study was based on data exclusively from permitted cannabis farms, additional data from unpermitted operations would enhance our overall understanding of cannabis water-use practices and consequences for the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Connor McIntee
- St. John's University, 2850 Abbey Plaza, Collegeville, MN, 56321, USA
| | - Van Butsic
- University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Lance Le
- State of California, North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, 5550 Skylane Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA, USA
| | - Kason Grady
- State of California, North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, 5550 Skylane Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA, USA
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21
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Alabau E, Mentaberre G, Camarero PR, Castillo-Contreras R, Sánchez-Barbudo IS, Conejero C, Fernández-Bocharán MS, López-Olvera JR, Mateo R. Accumulation of diastereomers of anticoagulant rodenticides in wild boar from suburban areas: Implications for human consumers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 738:139828. [PMID: 32534275 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We studied the prevalence of anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) in liver and muscle tissues of wild boar captured in the urban area of Barcelona, the suburban area of Collserola Natural Park and the rural area of Santa Quiteria, next to Cabañeros National Park, in Spain. The objective was to assess the influence of both urbanisation and wild boar (Sus scrofa) trophic opportunism on the accumulation of these compounds. We have also evaluated the risk for human consumers of this game meat. Wild boars from Barcelona city showed the highest prevalence of ARs detection (60.8%), followed by the adjoining suburban area of Collserola N.P. (40%) and the rural distant area of Santa Quiteria (7.7%). Liver bioaccumulated ARs (45.2%) more frequently than muscle (11.9%). A significant proportion (13.7%) of wild boar captured in Barcelona city exceeded 200 ng/g of total ARs in liver, a threshold for adverse effects on blood clotting. For difenacoum, there was a predominance of cis isomer, while for brodifacoum and bromadiolone cis and trans isomers appeared in a similar proportion. According to the scarce available information on ARs toxicity in humans, the risk of acute poisoning from game meat consumption seems to be low. However, repeated exposure through liver consumption should be considered in further risk assessments because of the high concentration detected in some samples (up to 0.68 mg/kg).
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Alabau
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Gregorio Mentaberre
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H) and Servicio de Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvaje (SEFaS), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Serra Hunter Fellow, Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H) and Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agraria, Universidad de Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - Pablo R Camarero
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Raquel Castillo-Contreras
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H) and Servicio de Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvaje (SEFaS), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Inés S Sánchez-Barbudo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Carles Conejero
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H) and Servicio de Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvaje (SEFaS), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - María S Fernández-Bocharán
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Jorge R López-Olvera
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H) and Servicio de Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvaje (SEFaS), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Mateo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain.
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22
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Seljetun KO, Vindenes V, Øiestad EL, Brochmann GW, Eliassen E, Moe L. Determination of anticoagulant rodenticides in faeces of exposed dogs and in a healthy dog population. Acta Vet Scand 2020; 62:30. [PMID: 32546243 PMCID: PMC7296905 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-020-00531-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) in dogs is among the most common causes of poisoning in small animal practice, but information about toxicokinetic of these rodenticides in dogs is lacking. We analysed blood and faeces from five accidentally exposed dogs and 110 healthy dogs by reversed phase ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The aim of the study was to estimate elimination of brodifacoum, bromadiolone and difenacoum after acute exposure, calculate the half-lives of these rodenticides in dogs, estimate faecal elimination in a litter of puppies born, and further to identify the extent of AR exposure in a healthy dog population. Results Three dogs were included after single ingestions of brodifacoum; two dogs ingested bromadiolone and one dog ingested difenacoum. Maximum concentrations in faeces were found after day 2–3 for all ARs. The distribution half-lives were 1–10 days for brodifacoum, 1–2 days for bromadiolone and 10 days for difenacoum. Brodifacoum and difenacoum had estimated terminal half-lives of 200–330 days and 190 days, respectively. In contrast, bromadiolone had an estimated terminal half-life of 30 days. No clinical signs of poisoning or coagulopathy were observed in terminal elimination period. In blood, the terminal half-life of brodifacoum was estimated to 8 days. Faeces from a litter of puppies born from one of the poisoned dogs were examined, and measurable concentrations of brodifacoum were detected in all samples for at least 28 days after parturition. A cross-sectional study of 110 healthy domestic dogs was performed to estimate ARs exposure in a dog population. Difenacoum was detected in faeces of one dog. Blood and faecal samples from the remaining dogs were negative for all ARs. Conclusions Based on the limited pharmacokinetic data from these dogs, our results suggest that ARs have a biphasic elimination in faeces using a two-compartment elimination kinetics model. We have shown that faecal analysis is suitable and reliable for the assessment of ARs exposure in dogs and a tool for estimating the AR half-lives. Half-lives of ARs could be a valuable indicator in the exposed dogs and provides important information for veterinarians monitoring AR exposure and assessment of treatment length in dogs.
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PREVALENCE OF ANTICOAGULANT RODENTICIDES IN FECES OF WILD RED FOXES (VULPES VULPES) IN NORWAY. J Wildl Dis 2019. [DOI: 10.7589/2019-01-027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Stöck M, Reisch F, Elmeros M, Gabriel D, Kloas W, Kreuz E, Lassen P, Esther A. The potential of VKORC1 polymorphisms in Mustelidae for evolving anticoagulant resistance through selection along the food chain. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221706. [PMID: 31465484 PMCID: PMC6715177 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In response to strong selection, new mutations can arise quickly and sweep through populations, particularly, if survival and reproduction depend on certain allele copies for adaptation to rapidly changing environments, like resistance against deadly diseases or strong toxins. Since the 1950s, resistance to anticoagulant rodenticides in several rodents has emerged through single nucleotide mutations in the vitamin-K-epoxid-reductase-complex-subunit-1 (VKORC1) gene, often located in its exon 3. Detection of high prevalence and concentrations of anticoagulant rodenticides in non-target vertebrates, including carnivorous Mustelidae, let us assume that secondary exposure by feeding on poisoned prey may also cause selection along the food chain and we hypothesized that VKORC1-based resistance might also have evolved in rodents' predators. Using newly-developed mustelid-specific primers for direct sequencing of genomic DNA, we studied VKORC1-DNA-polymorphisms in 115 mustelids of five species (Martes martes, M. foina, Mustela nivalis, M. erminea, M. putorius), obtained from northern Denmark, yielding six sites with nonsynonymous and several synonymous amino acid polymorphisms in exon 3. Comparison of these VKORC1-genotypes with hepatic rodenticide residues (obtained by HPLC combined with fluorescence or mass spectrometry) in 83 individuals (except M. martes), using generalized linear models, suggested that anticoagulant levels depended on species and specific polymorphisms. Although most VKORC-1 polymorphisms may present standing genetic variation, some are situated in resistance-mediating membrane parts of the VKORC1-encoded protein, and might be a result of selection due to exposure to anticoagulant poisons. Our new molecular markers might allow detecting indirect effects of anticoagulant rodenticides on rodent predator populations in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Stöck
- Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
| | - Florian Reisch
- Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, Universitätsmedizin Berlin Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Morten Elmeros
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Rønde, Denmark
| | - Doreen Gabriel
- Institute for Crop and Soil Science, Julius Kühn Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Werner Kloas
- Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eva Kreuz
- Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
| | - Pia Lassen
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Alexandra Esther
- Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Julius Kühn Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Münster, Germany
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Serieys LEK, Bishop J, Okes N, Broadfield J, Winterton DJ, Poppenga RH, Viljoen S, Wayne RK, O'Riain MJ. Widespread anticoagulant poison exposure in predators in a rapidly growing South African city. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 666:581-590. [PMID: 30807948 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are used worldwide to control rodent populations. ARs bioaccumulate across trophic levels and threaten non-target wildlife. We investigated the prevalence of AR exposure in seven predator species in the rapidly developing Greater Cape Town region of South Africa - a mosaic of natural, urban, and agricultural areas within a global biodiversity hotspot. We focused sampling on caracals (Caracal caracal, n = 28) as part of a larger caracal ecology study, but also opportunistically sampled Cape Clawless otters (Aonyx capensis, n = 9), large-spotted genets (Genetta tigrina, n = 4), honey badger (Mellivora capensis, n = 1), water mongoose (Atilax paludinosus, n = 1), small gray mongoose (Galerella pulverulenta, n = 1), and Cape Eagle owl (Bubo capensis, n = 1). We tested livers from all species, and blood from ten caracals, for eight AR compounds to assess prevalence and amount of exposure for each compound. We used generalized linear models to test spatial, demographic, and seasonal risk factors for ten measures of AR exposure in caracals. We detected at least one of the four most toxic AR compounds in six species. Exposure was high for caracals (92%) and all species combined (81%). For caracals, proximity to vineyards was the most important AR exposure risk factor. Vineyards in Cape Town do not use ARs to protect their vines but do host commercial hospitality structures where ARs are used. Vineyards may thus link caracals that forage within vineyards to the rat poisons used in and around their commercial structures. Residue levels were unexpected in large-spotted genets and Cape Clawless otters, suggesting invertebrate vectors. ARs may present a cryptic threat to populations already vulnerable to increasing habitat loss, vehicle collisions, poachers and fire. Targeted mitigation should include a mix of environmentally responsible policies that reduce AR use, particularly in areas near wildlife habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel E K Serieys
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa; Cape Leopard Trust, P.O. Box 31139, Tokai, Cape Town 7966, South Africa; Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz, Campus Mail Stop, 1153 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.
| | - Jacqueline Bishop
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Nicola Okes
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Joleen Broadfield
- Cape Leopard Trust, P.O. Box 31139, Tokai, Cape Town 7966, South Africa
| | - Deborah Jean Winterton
- Cape Research Centre, South African National Parks, P.O. Box 216, Steenberg 7947, South Africa
| | - Robert H Poppenga
- Center for Animal Health and Food Safety, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Storme Viljoen
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Robert K Wayne
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - M Justin O'Riain
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
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Bedoya-Pérez MA, Smith KL, Kevin RC, Luo JL, Crowther MS, McGregor IS. Parameters That Affect Fear Responses in Rodents and How to Use Them for Management. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Fernandez-de-Simon J, Coeurdassier M, Couval G, Fourel I, Giraudoux P. Do bromadiolone treatments to control grassland water voles (Arvicola scherman) affect small mustelid abundance? PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2019; 75:900-907. [PMID: 30175431 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 08/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2018] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of pesticides can affect non-target species by causing population declines through indirect intoxication. Small mustelids (SMs; weasels, Mustela nivalis L.; stoats, Mustela erminea L.) consume water voles (WVs, Arvicola scherman S.) and can be exposed to bromadiolone, an anticoagulant rodenticide used in some countries to reduce WV damage to grasslands. Here, we investigated whether bromadiolone affected SM abundance. RESULTS We monitored SM abundance using footprint tracking tunnels in spring and autumn at ten sites. Among these sites, four were treated with bromadiolone, while six were not treated. We found reduced SM abundance at these four sites from spring to autumn (treated sites, mean ± SE SM abundance change = -1.68 ± 0.42; untreated sites, 0.29 ± 0.25). Using a linear model, we observed that SM abundance decreased as a function of the quantity of bromadiolone applied during the 3 months before the autumn estimate. We found that WV abundance increased at treated sites (linear model, treated sites, mean ± SE WV abundance change = 1.4 ± 0.4; untreated sites, 0.33 ± 0.25). Thus, at treated sites, SM abundance declined despite increased food availability. By analyzing residues in vole livers and SM scats we showed that SMs may be exposed to bromadiolone at the sites where this compound was used. CONCLUSION This study is the first to document the relationship between SM abundance and bromadiolone usage for small mammal control. Declines in SM abundance were observed at treated sites, where bromadiolone residue was found in SM scats. This correlative approach suggests that bromadiolone treatment may lead to seasonal SM declines and associated WV increases. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Fernandez-de-Simon
- Laboratoire Chrono-environnement (UMR 6249), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CNRS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, UBFC, Besançon, France
| | - Michael Coeurdassier
- Laboratoire Chrono-environnement (UMR 6249), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CNRS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, UBFC, Besançon, France
| | - Geoffroy Couval
- Fédération Régionale de Défense contre les Organismes Nuisibles (Regional Federation of Defense against Pest Organisms, FREDON, Franche-Comté), École-Valentin, France
| | - Isabelle Fourel
- USC 1233 Rongeurs Sauvages, Risques Sanitaires et Gestion des Populations (Wild Rodents, Health Risks and Population Management, RS2GP), VetAgro Sup, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (French National Institute for Agricultural Research, INRA), Université de Lyon, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Patrick Giraudoux
- Laboratoire Chrono-environnement (UMR 6249), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CNRS, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, UBFC, Besançon, France
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Hindmarch S, Rattner BA, Elliott JE. Use of blood clotting assays to assess potential anticoagulant rodenticide exposure and effects in free-ranging birds of prey. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 657:1205-1216. [PMID: 30677887 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Non-target wildlife, particularly birds of prey, are widely exposed to and acutely poisoned by anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs). An unresolved issue surrounding such exposure, however, is the potential for sublethal effects. In particular, the consequences of AR exposure and resulting coagulopathy on health and survival of unintentionally exposed animals, which often encounter a multitude of anthropogenic stressors, are understudied. In a wildlife rehabilitation setting, AR intoxication may be masked by more obvious injuries related to collision with vehicles or electrocution, thereby obfuscating proximate from ultimate cause of mortality. An assessment of coagulation function of admitted wildlife may provide a means of identifying animals exhibiting sublethal coagulopathy, and ultimately ensuring provision of appropriate and swift treatment. In conjunction with routine diagnostics for injury and disease, we performed two blood clotting assays (prothrombin time, Russell's viper venom time) affected by vitamin K-dependent coagulopathy of samples from six species of live raptors admitted to a rehabilitation facility. We also measured clotting time in pre-fledgling barn owl chicks (Tyto furcata) from 10 nest sites in Lower Mainland Canada. Prolonged clotting time or failure to form a clot altogether was observed in 23.0% of 61 sampled raptors admitted to the rehabilitation facility. This is a biologically significant proportion of individuals given the fortuitous and likely biased nature by which raptors are found and admitted to rehabilitation facilities. In contrast, there was little evidence of coagulopathy in 19 pre-fledgling barn owl chicks. The utility of avian coagulation tests for diagnosing AR exposure is promising, yet there remains a need to establish species specific reference values and standardize assay methodologies among testing facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofi Hindmarch
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science & Technology Branch, Pacific Wildlife Research Centre, Delta V4K 3N2, BC, Canada
| | - Barnett A Rattner
- U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - John E Elliott
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science & Technology Branch, Pacific Wildlife Research Centre, Delta V4K 3N2, BC, Canada.
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López-Perea JJ, Camarero PR, Sánchez-Barbudo IS, Mateo R. Urbanization and cattle density are determinants in the exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides of non-target wildlife. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 244:801-808. [PMID: 30390453 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.10.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 10/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The persistence and toxicity of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) in animal tissues make these compounds dangerous by biomagnification in predatory species. Here we studied the levels of SGARs in non-target species of wildlife and the environmental factors that influence such exposure. Liver samples of terrestrial vertebrates (n = 244) found dead between 2007 and 2016 in the region of Aragón (NE Spain) were analysed. The presence of SGARs was statistically analysed with binary or ordinal logistic models to study the effect of habitat characteristics including human population density, percentage of urban surface, livestock densities and surface of different types of crops. SGARs residues were detected in 83 (34%) of the animals and levels >200 ng/g were found in common raven (67%), red fox (50%), red kite (38%), Eurasian eagle-owl (25%), stone marten (23%), Eurasian buzzard (17%), northern marsh harrier (17%), and Eurasian badger (14%). The spatial analysis revealed that the presence of SGARs residues in wildlife was more associated with the use of these products as biocides in urban areas and cattle farms rather than as plant protection products in agricultural fields. This information permits to identify potential habitats where SGARs may pose a risk for predatory birds and mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhon J López-Perea
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Pablo R Camarero
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Ines S Sánchez-Barbudo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Rafael Mateo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain.
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Lohr MT. Anticoagulant rodenticide exposure in an Australian predatory bird increases with proximity to developed habitat. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 643:134-144. [PMID: 29936157 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 06/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are commonly used worldwide to control commensal rodents. Second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) are highly persistent and have the potential to cause secondary poisoning in wildlife. To date no comprehensive assessment has been conducted on AR residues in Australian wildlife. My aim was to measure AR exposure in a common widespread owl species, the Southern Boobook (Ninox boobook) using boobooks found dead or moribund in order to assess the spatial distribution of this potential threat. A high percentage of boobooks were exposed (72.6%) and many showed potentially dangerous levels of AR residue (>0.1 mg/kg) in liver tissue (50.7%). Multiple rodenticides were detected in the livers of 38.4% of boobooks tested. Total liver concentration of ARs correlated positively with the proportions of developed areas around points where dead boobooks were recovered and negatively with proportions of agricultural and native land covers. Total AR concentration in livers correlated more closely with land use type at the spatial scale of a boobook's home range than at smaller or larger spatial scales. Two rodenticides not used by the public (difethialone and flocoumafen) were detected in boobooks indicating that professional use of ARs contributed to secondary exposure. Multiple ARs were also detected in recent fledglings, indicating probable exposure prior to fledging. Taken together, these results suggest that AR exposure poses a serious threat to native predators in Australia, particularly in species using urban and peri-urban areas and species with large home ranges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Lohr
- School of Science, Edith Cowan University, 100 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Western Australia 6027, Australia.
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Gao X, Li H, Li H, Dong S, Chu J, Guo H, Zhao Q. Sensitive determination of nine anticoagulant rodenticides in blood by high resolution mass spectrometry with supported liquid extraction pretreatment. Forensic Sci Int 2018; 292:39-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Simultaneous determination of nine anticoagulant rodenticides by ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry with ultrasound-assisted low–density solvent dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2018; 1092:453-458. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2018.06.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Sainsbury KA, Shore RF, Schofield H, Croose E, Pereira MG, Sleep D, Kitchener AC, Hantke G, McDonald RA. Long-term increase in secondary exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides in European polecats Mustela putorius in Great Britain. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 236:689-698. [PMID: 29438955 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
As a result of legal protection and population recovery, European polecats (Mustela putorius) in Great Britain are expanding into areas associated with greater usage of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs). We analysed polecat livers collected from road casualties from 2013 to 2016 for residues of five SGARs. We related variation in residues to polecat traits and potential exposure pathways, by analysing stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) in their whiskers. 54 of 68 (79%) polecats had detectable residues of at least one SGAR. Bromadiolone (71%) was the most frequently detected compound, followed by difenacoum (53%) and brodifacoum (35%). Applying historical limits of detection to allow comparison between these new data and previous assessments, we show that in the 25 years from 1992 to 2016 inclusive, the rate of detection of SGARs in polecats in Britain has increased by a factor of 1.7. The probability of SGAR detection was positively related to increasing values of δ15N, suggesting that polecats feeding at a higher trophic level were more likely to be exposed. Total concentrations of SGARs in polecats with detectable residues were higher in polecats collected in arable compared to pastoral habitats, and in the west compared to the east of Britain. The number of compounds detected and total concentrations of SGARs increased with polecat age. There was no evidence of regional or seasonal variation in the probability of detecting SGARs, suggesting that the current risk of exposure to SGARs does not vary seasonally and has increased (from that in the 1990s) throughout the polecat's range. We recommend quantification of current practices in rodenticide usage, particularly in the light of recent regulatory changes, to enable assessment and mitigation of the risks of secondary exposure to rodenticides in non-target wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Sainsbury
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Richard F Shore
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK
| | - Henry Schofield
- The Vincent Wildlife Trust, 3 & 4 Bronsil Courtyard, Eastnor, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 1EP, UK
| | - Elizabeth Croose
- The Vincent Wildlife Trust, 3 & 4 Bronsil Courtyard, Eastnor, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 1EP, UK
| | - M Gloria Pereira
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK
| | - Darren Sleep
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK
| | - Andrew C Kitchener
- National Museums Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF, UK; Institute of Geography, School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Drummond Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9XP, UK
| | - Georg Hantke
- National Museums Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF, UK
| | - Robbie A McDonald
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK.
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Fraser D, Mouton A, Serieys LEK, Cole S, Carver S, Vandewoude S, Lappin M, Riley SP, Wayne R. Genome‐wide expression reveals multiple systemic effects associated with detection of anticoagulant poisons in bobcats (
Lynx rufus
). Mol Ecol 2018; 27:1170-1187. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.14531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Devaughn Fraser
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California Los Angeles CA USA
| | - Alice Mouton
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California Los Angeles CA USA
| | - Laurel E. K. Serieys
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California Los Angeles CA USA
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa Biological Sciences University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
- Environmental Studies Department University of California Santa Cruz CA USA
| | - Steve Cole
- Department of Medicine University of California Los Angeles CA USA
| | - Scott Carver
- School of Biological Sciences University of Tasmania Hobart TAS Australia
| | - Sue Vandewoude
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology Colorado State University Fort Collins CO USA
| | - Michael Lappin
- Department of Clinical Sciences Colorado State University Fort Collins CO USA
| | - Seth P.D. Riley
- National Park Service Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Thousand Oaks CA USA
| | - Robert Wayne
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California Los Angeles CA USA
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Franklin AB, Carlson PC, Rex A, Rockweit JT, Garza D, Culhane E, Volker SF, Dusek RJ, Shearn-Bochsler VI, Gabriel MW, Horak KE. Grass is not always greener: rodenticide exposure of a threatened species near marijuana growing operations. BMC Res Notes 2018; 11:94. [PMID: 29391058 PMCID: PMC5796583 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-018-3206-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Marijuana (Cannabis spp.) growing operations (MGO) in California have increased substantially since the mid-1990s. One environmental side-effect of MGOs is the extensive use of anticoagulant rodenticides (AR) to prevent damage to marijuana plants caused by wild rodents. In association with a long-term demographic study, we report on an observation of brodifacoum AR exposure in a threatened species, the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina), found freshly dead within 669-1347 m of at least seven active MGOs. RESULTS Liver and blood samples from the dead northern spotted owl were tested for 12 rodenticides. Brodifacoum was the only rodenticide detected in the liver (33.3-36.3 ng/g) and blood (0.48-0.54 ng/ml). Based on necropsy results, it was unclear what role brodifacoum had in the death of this bird. However, fatal AR poisoning has been previously reported in owls with relatively low levels of brodifacoum residues in the liver. One likely mechanism of AR transmission from MGOs to northern spotted owls in California is through ingestion of AR contaminated prey that frequent MGOs. The proliferation of MGOs with their use of ARs in forested landscapes used by northern spotted owls may pose an additional stressor for this threatened species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan B Franklin
- USDA-APHIS-WS National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 Laporte Ave, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA.
| | - Peter C Carlson
- Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Colorado State University, 1484 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Angela Rex
- Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Colorado State University, 1484 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Jeremy T Rockweit
- Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Colorado State University, 1484 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - David Garza
- Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Colorado State University, 1484 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Emily Culhane
- Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Colorado State University, 1484 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Steven F Volker
- USDA-APHIS-WS National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 Laporte Ave, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Robert J Dusek
- U. S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Road, Madison, WI, 53711, USA
| | - Valerie I Shearn-Bochsler
- U. S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Road, Madison, WI, 53711, USA
| | - Mourad W Gabriel
- Integral Ecology Research Center, 239 Railroad Avenue, Blue Lake, CA, 95525, USA
| | - Katherine E Horak
- USDA-APHIS-WS National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 Laporte Ave, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho Yi Wan
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability; Northern Arizona University; Flagstaff AZ 86011 USA
| | - Joseph L. Ganey
- USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station; 2500 S. Pine Knoll Flagstaff AZ 86001 USA
| | - Christina D. Vojta
- Landscape Conservation Initiative; Northern Arizona University; PO Box 5767 Flagstaff AZ 86011 USA
| | - Samuel A. Cushman
- USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station; 2500 S. Pine Knoll Flagstaff AZ 86001 USA
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Elmeros M, Lassen P, Bossi R, Topping CJ. Exposure of stone marten (Martes foina) and polecat (Mustela putorius) to anticoagulant rodenticides: Effects of regulatory restrictions of rodenticide use. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 612:1358-1364. [PMID: 28898942 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
When anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are used to control rodent populations there is also a widespread secondary exposure of non-target predators to ARs. To reduce secondary exposure, regulatory restrictions in AR usage were tightened in Denmark in 2011. The restrictions included the cessation of AR use for plant protection and any use away from buildings, as well as limitations in private consumers' access to ARs. To quantify and evaluate the efficiency of the regulatory measures to reduce secondary exposure, we analysed ARs in liver tissue from 40 stone martens (Martes foina) and 40 polecats (Mustela putorius) collected before and 31 stone martens and 29 polecats collected after the restrictions were imposed. No declines in the prevalence ARs were detected following the regulatory restrictions in either stone marten (Before: 98%, After: 100%) or polecat (Before: 93%, After: 97%). The total AR concentration was higher in stone martens than in polecats in both sampling periods. Between the two sampling periods, the total AR concentrations in the mustelids increased (P<0.001). The increase was significant for stone marten (Before: 419ng/g ww, After: 1116ng/g ww, P<0.001), but not for polecat (Before: 170ng/g ww, After: 339ng/g ww). Overall, the total AR concentration was positively correlated to the urban area and the area used for Christmas tree production in which ARs were regularly used before 2011. The regulatory restrictions in AR usage did not reduce exposure of non-target stone martens and polecats. The temporal and spatial patterns of AR concentrations in predators indicate that chemical rodent control in and around buildings is the dominant source for the exposure of non-target predators in intensively human-dominated landscapes in Denmark. The results suggest that non-chemical methods for rodents control at buildings are necessary to prevent widespread secondary AR exposure of predators in human modified landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten Elmeros
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Grenåvej 14, DK-8410 Rønde, Denmark.
| | - Pia Lassen
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Rossana Bossi
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
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Ecological Factors Driving Uptake of Anticoagulant Rodenticides in Predators. EMERGING TOPICS IN ECOTOXICOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-64377-9_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Church ME, Terio KA, Keel MK. Procyonidae, Viverridae, Hyenidae, Herpestidae, Eupleridae, and Prionodontidae. PATHOLOGY OF WILDLIFE AND ZOO ANIMALS 2018. [PMCID: PMC7148636 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-805306-5.00012-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
This chapter covers the diseases and pathology of multiple taxonomic groups within the order Carnivora including Procyonidae several of the Feliformia carnivores. The overwhelming majority of knowledge about disease pathogenesis for these species is biased toward raccoons and concern for disease spread to humans and companion animals. Procyonids and feliform carnivores are ubiquitous in their environments and share habitat and environmental resources with other nondomestic and domestic carnivores and humans. As reservoirs for a number of important multispecies or zoonotic pathogens, surveys for pathogens that may be harbored or vectored by several of the species in this chapter, for example, raccoons (e.g., canine distemper virus, rabies, and leptospirosis) and civets (e.g., SARS coronavirus), have been active areas of investigation. Unfortunately, less research has focused on the potential effects of these pathogens on their hosts.
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Secondary Exposure to Anticoagulant Rodenticides and Effects on Predators. EMERGING TOPICS IN ECOTOXICOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-64377-9_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Spatial Dimensions of the Risks of Rodenticide Use to Non-target Small Mammals and Applications in Spatially Explicit Risk Modeling. EMERGING TOPICS IN ECOTOXICOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-64377-9_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Jones GM, Keane JJ, Gutiérrez RJ, Peery MZ. Declining old-forest species as a legacy of large trees lost. DIVERS DISTRIB 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gavin M. Jones
- Department of Forest & Wildlife Ecology; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison WI USA
| | - John J. Keane
- U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station; Davis CA USA
| | - R. J. Gutiérrez
- Department of Forest & Wildlife Ecology; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison WI USA
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology; University of Minnesota; St. Paul MN USA
| | - M. Zachariah Peery
- Department of Forest & Wildlife Ecology; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison WI USA
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Furnas BJ, Landers RH, Callas RL, Matthews SM. Estimating population size of fishers (Pekania pennanti
) using camera stations and auxiliary data on home range size. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- B. J. Furnas
- Wildlife Investigations Laboratory; California Department of Fish and Wildlife; 1701 Nimbus Road, Suite D Rancho Cordova California 95670 USA
| | - R. H. Landers
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife; Northern Region, 601 Locust Street Redding California 96001 USA
| | - R. L. Callas
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife; Northern Region, 601 Locust Street Redding California 96001 USA
| | - S. M. Matthews
- Institute for Natural Resources; Oregon State University; 234 Strand Agriculture Hall Corvallis Oregon 97331 USA
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Ruiz-Suárez N, Melero Y, Giela A, Henríquez-Hernández LA, Sharp E, Boada LD, Taylor MJ, Camacho M, Lambin X, Luzardo OP, Hartley G. Rate of exposure of a sentinel species, invasive American mink (Neovison vison) in Scotland, to anticoagulant rodenticides. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 569-570:1013-1021. [PMID: 27387798 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.06.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Revised: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are highly toxic compounds that are exclusively used for the control of rodent pests. Despite their defined use, they are nonetheless found in a large number of non-target species indicating widespread penetration of wildlife. Attempts to quantify the scale of problem are complicated by non-random sampling of individuals tested for AR contamination. The American mink (Neovison vison) is a wide ranging, non-native, generalist predator that is subject to wide scale control efforts in the UK. Exposure to eight ARs was determined in 99 mink trapped in NE Scotland, most of which were of known age. A high percentage (79%) of the animals had detectable residues of at least one AR, and more than 50% of the positive animals had two or more ARs. The most frequently detected compound was bromadiolone (75% of all animals tested), followed by difenacoum (53% of all mink), coumatetralyl (22%) and brodifacoum (9%). The probability of mink exposure to ARs increased by 4.5% per month of life, and was 1.7 times higher for mink caught in areas with a high, as opposed to a low, density of farms. The number of AR compounds acquired also increased with age and with farm density. No evidence was found for sexual differences in the concentration and number of ARs. The wide niche and dietary overlap of mink with several native carnivore species, and the fact that American mink are culled for conservation throughout Europe, suggest that this species may act as a sentinel species, and the application of these data to other native carnivores is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norberto Ruiz-Suárez
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35016 Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Yolanda Melero
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Zoology Building, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, Scotland, UK; CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallés 08193, Spain
| | - Anna Giela
- Pesticides & DWMB Branches, Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture, Roddinglaw Road, Edinburgh EH12 9FJ, Scotland, UK
| | - Luis A Henríquez-Hernández
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35016 Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Elizabeth Sharp
- Pesticides & DWMB Branches, Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture, Roddinglaw Road, Edinburgh EH12 9FJ, Scotland, UK
| | - Luis D Boada
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35016 Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Michael J Taylor
- Pesticides & DWMB Branches, Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture, Roddinglaw Road, Edinburgh EH12 9FJ, Scotland, UK
| | - María Camacho
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35016 Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Xavier Lambin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Zoology Building, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, Scotland, UK
| | - Octavio P Luzardo
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35016 Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Gill Hartley
- Pesticides & DWMB Branches, Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture, Roddinglaw Road, Edinburgh EH12 9FJ, Scotland, UK.
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Huang AC, Elliott JE, Hindmarch S, Lee SL, Maisonneuve F, Bowes V, Cheng KM, Martin K. Increased rodenticide exposure rate and risk of toxicosis in barn owls (Tyto alba) from southwestern Canada and linkage with demographic but not genetic factors. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2016; 25:1061-1071. [PMID: 27151403 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-016-1662-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Among many anthropogenic drivers of population decline, continual rapid urbanization and industrialization pose major challenges for the survival of wildlife species. Barn owls (Tyto alba) in southwestern British Columbia (BC) face a multitude of threats ranging from habitat fragmentation to vehicle strikes. They are also at risk from secondary poisoning of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs), a suite of toxic compounds which at high doses results in a depletion of blood clotting factors leading to internal bleeding and death. Here, using long-term data (N = 119) for the hepatic residue levels of SGAR, we assessed the risk of toxicosis from SGAR for the BC barn owl population over the past two decades. We also investigated whether sensitivity to SGAR is associated with genetic factors, namely Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) found in the CYP2C45 gene of barn owls. We found that residue concentration for total SGAR was significantly higher in 2006-2013 (141 ng/g) relative to 1992-2003 (57 ng/g). The proportion of owls exposed to multiple SGAR types was also significantly higher in 2006-2013. Those measures accordingly translate directly into an increase in toxicosis risk level. We also detected demographic differences, where adult females showed on average lower concentration of total SGAR (64 ng/g) when compared to adult males (106 ng/g). Juveniles were overall more likely to show signs of toxicosis than adults (33.3 and 6.9 %, respectively), and those symptoms were positively predicted by SGAR concentrations. We found no evidence that SNPs in the CYP2C45 gene of barn owls were associated with intraspecific variation in SGAR sensitivity. We recommend several preventative measures be taken to minimize wildlife exposure to SGAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C Huang
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
- Environment and Climate Change Canada (Science and Technology Branch), 5421 Robertson Rd, Delta, BC, V4K 3N2, Canada.
| | - John E Elliott
- Environment and Climate Change Canada (Science and Technology Branch), 5421 Robertson Rd, Delta, BC, V4K 3N2, Canada
- Avian Research Centre, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Sofi Hindmarch
- Environment and Climate Change Canada (Science and Technology Branch), 5421 Robertson Rd, Delta, BC, V4K 3N2, Canada
| | - Sandi L Lee
- Environment and Climate Change Canada (Science and Technology Branch), 5421 Robertson Rd, Delta, BC, V4K 3N2, Canada
| | - France Maisonneuve
- Environment Canada (Science and Technology Branch), National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Victoria Bowes
- Animal Health Centre, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, 1767 Angus Campbell Rd, Abbotsford, BC, V3G 2M3, Canada
| | - Kimberly M Cheng
- Avian Research Centre, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Kathy Martin
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Environment and Climate Change Canada (Science and Technology Branch), 5421 Robertson Rd, Delta, BC, V4K 3N2, Canada
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Elliott JE, Rattner BA, Shore RF, Van Den Brink NW. Paying the Pipers: Mitigating the Impact of Anticoagulant Rodenticides on Predators and Scavengers. Bioscience 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biw028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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49
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Beringer J, Timmins A, Hiller TL. Unintentional toxicosis from methylxanthines in chocolate-based baits consumed by American black bears. WILDLIFE SOC B 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jeff Beringer
- Missouri Department of Conservation; Columbia MO 65201 USA
| | - Andrew Timmins
- New Hampshire Fish and Game Department; Lancaster NH 03584 USA
| | - Tim L. Hiller
- Carnivore Ecology Laboratory; Forest and Wildlife Research Center; Mississippi State University; Mississippi State MS 39762 USA
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50
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Sweitzer RA, Popescu VD, Thompson CM, Purcell KL, Barrett RH, Wengert GM, Gabriel MW, Woods LW. Mortality risks and limits to population growth of fishers. J Wildl Manage 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.1020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rick A. Sweitzer
- The Great Basin Institute; 16750 Mt. Rose Highway Reno NV 89511 USA
| | - Viorel D. Popescu
- Earth to Ocean Research Group, Simon Fraser University; 8888 University Drive Burnaby BC V5A 1S6 Canada
- University of Bucharest; Centre for Environmental Research (CCMESI); 1 N. Balcescu Blvd. Bucharest Romania
| | - Craig M. Thompson
- USDA Forest Service; Pacific Southwest Research Station; 2081 E. Sierra Avenue Fresno CA 93710 USA
| | - Kathryn L. Purcell
- USDA Forest Service; Pacific Southwest Research Station; 2081 E. Sierra Avenue Fresno CA 93710 USA
| | - Reginald H. Barrett
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management; University of California; Berkeley CA 94720 USA
| | | | | | - Leslie W. Woods
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System; Davis CA 95616 USA
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