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Bandouchova H, Zukal J, Linhart P, Berkova H, Brichta J, Kovacova V, Kubickova A, Abdelsalam EEE, Bartonička T, Zajíčková R, Pikula J. Low seasonal variation in greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis) blood parameters. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234784. [PMID: 32634149 PMCID: PMC7340307 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis) is a flagship species for the protection of hibernation and summer maternity roosts in the Western Palearctic region. A range of pathogenic agents is known to put pressure on populations, including the white-nose syndrome fungus, for which the species shows the highest prevalence and infection intensity of all European bat species. Here, we perform analysis of blood parameters characteristic for the species during its natural annual life cycle in order to establish reference values. Despite sexual dimorphism and some univariate differences, the overall multivariate pattern suggests low seasonal variation with homeostatic mechanisms effectively regulating haematology and blood biochemistry ranges. Overall, the species displayed a high haematocrit and haemoglobin content and high concentration of urea, while blood glucose levels in swarming and hibernating bats ranged from hypo- to normoglycaemic. Unlike blood pH, concentrations of electrolytes were wide ranging. To conclude, baseline data for blood physiology are a useful tool for providing suitable medical care in rescue centres, for studying population health in bats adapting to environmental change, and for understanding bat responses to stressors of conservation and/or zoonotic importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Bandouchova
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Zoo Animals, Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Zukal
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Linhart
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Zoo Animals, Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Berkova
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Brichta
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Zoo Animals, Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Kovacova
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Zoo Animals, Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Aneta Kubickova
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Zoo Animals, Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ehdaa E. E. Abdelsalam
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Zoo Animals, Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Bartonička
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Renata Zajíčková
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Pikula
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Zoo Animals, Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
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Duarte LFDA, Moreno JB, Catharino MGM, Moreira EG, Trombini C, Pereira CDS. Mangrove metal pollution induces biological tolerance to Cd on a crab sentinel species subpopulation. Sci Total Environ 2019; 687:768-779. [PMID: 31412480 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Metals are persistent pollutants, able to accumulate in the biota and magnify in trophic web. In the specific case of cadmium contamination, it has been the subject of considerable interest in recent years because of its biological effects and it is one of major pollutant in estuarine areas. Ucides cordatus is considered a mangrove local sentinel crab species in Brazil and there are previous studies reporting crab subpopulations living from pristine to heavily metal impacted areas in São Paulo coast (Southeastern Brazil). Taking into account the background knowledge about these subpopulations, we proposed the hypothesis that crabs from a highly polluted mangrove (Cubatão - CUB) have developed biological tolerance to cadmium compared to animals from an Environmental Protected Area (Jureia - JUR). Aiming to verify this hypothesis, we have investigated total bioaccumulation and subcellular partition of Cd, besides biomarkers' responses during a long-term exposure bioassay (28 days, with weekly sampling) using a supposedly safe Cd concentration (0.0022 mg L-1). Specimens from the pristine area (JUR) accumulated higher total Cd, as such as in its biologically active form in gills. Animals living in the polluted site (CUB) presented higher amounts of Cd in the mainly detoxifying tissue (hepatopancreas), which could be considered a pathway leading to tolerance for this metal. Multivariate analysis indicated that bioaccumulation (active, detoxified and total Cd) is linked to geno-cytotoxic damages. CUB subpopulation was considered more tolerant since it presented proportionally less damage and more capacity to allocate Cd in the main detoxifying forms and tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Felipe de Almeida Duarte
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Ciências do Mar, Campus Baixada Santista, Rua Maria Máximo, 168, Ponta da Praia, Santos, SP 11030-100, Brazil.
| | - Julián Blasco Moreno
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía (ICMAN), Campus Río San Pedro, s/n, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.
| | - Marília Gabriela Miranda Catharino
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN - CNEN/SP), Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, 2242, Cidade Universitária, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Edson Gonçalves Moreira
- Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN - CNEN/SP), Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, 2242, Cidade Universitária, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Chiara Trombini
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía (ICMAN), Campus Río San Pedro, s/n, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.
| | - Camilo Dias Seabra Pereira
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Ciências do Mar, Campus Baixada Santista, Rua Maria Máximo, 168, Ponta da Praia, Santos, SP 11030-100, Brazil.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Biomass-density relations have been at the centre of a search for an index which describes the health of seagrass meadows. However, this search has been complicated by the intricacy of seagrass demographics and their complex biomass-density relations, a consequence mainly of their modular growth and clonality. Concomitantly, biomass-density upper boundaries have been determined for terrestrial plants and algae, reflecting their asymptotic maximum efficiencies of space occupation. Each stand's distance to its respective biomass-density upper boundary reflects its effective efficiency in packing biomass, which has proved a reliable ecological indicator in order to discriminate between taxonomic groups, functional groups and clonal vs. non-clonal growth. RESULTS We gathered data from 32 studies on 10 seagrass species distributed worldwide and demonstrated that seagrasses are limited by their own boundary line, placed below the boundaries previously determined for algae and terrestrial plants. Then, we applied a new metric-dgrass: each stand's perpendicular distance to the seagrass boundary-and used this parameter to review fundamental aspects such as clonal growth patterns, depth distribution, seasonality, interspecific competition, and the effects of light, temperature and nutrients. CONCLUSIONS Seagrasses occupy space less efficiently than algae and terrestrial plants. Using only their biomass and density data we established a new and efficient tool to describe space occupation by seagrasses. This was used with success to evaluate their meadows as an ecological indicator for the health of coastal ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasco M. N. C. S. Vieira
- MARETEC, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Inês E. Lopes
- MARETEC, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joel C. Creed
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcântara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20559-900 Brazil
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Abstract
Global warming is significantly altering arctic marine ecosystems. Specifically, the precipitous loss of sea ice is creating a dichotomy between ice-dependent polar bears and pinnipeds that are losing habitat and some cetaceans that are gaining habitat. While final outcomes are hard to predict for the many and varied marine mammal populations that rely on arctic habitats, we suggest a simplified framework to assess status, based upon ranking a population's size, range, behavior, and health. This basic approach is proposed as a means to prioritize and expedite conservation and management efforts in an era of rapid ecosystem alteration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sue E. Moore
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, Office of Science and Technology, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Madzaric S, Ceglie FG, Depalo L, Al Bitar L, Mimiola G, Tittarelli F, Burgio G. Organic vs. organic - soil arthropods as bioindicators of ecological sustainability in greenhouse system experiment under Mediterranean conditions. Bull Entomol Res 2018; 108:625-635. [PMID: 29166981 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485317001158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Organic greenhouse (OGH) production is characterized by different systems and agricultural practices with diverse environmental impact. Soil arthropods are widely used as bioindicators of ecological sustainability in open field studies, while there is a lack of research on organic production for protected systems. This study assessed the soil arthropod abundance and diversity over a 2-year crop rotation in three systems of OGH production in the Mediterranean. The systems under assessment differed in soil fertility management: SUBST - a simplified system of organic production, based on an input substitution approach (use of guano and organic liquid fertilizers), AGROCOM - soil fertility mainly based on compost application and agroecological services crops (ASC) cultivation (tailored use of cover crops) as part of crop rotation, and AGROMAN - animal manure and ASC cultivation as part of crop rotation. Monitoring of soil fauna was performed by using pitfall traps and seven taxa were considered: Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Araneae, Opiliones, Isopoda, Myriapoda, and Collembola. Results demonstrated high potential of ASC cultivation as a technique for beneficial soil arthropod conservation in OGH conditions. SUBST system was dominated by Collembola in all crops, while AGROMAN and AGROCOM had more balanced relative abundance of Isopoda, Staphylinidae, and Aranea. Opiliones and Myriapoda were more affected by season, while Carabidae were poorly represented in the whole monitoring period. Despite the fact that all three production systems are in accordance with the European Union regulation on organic farming, findings of this study displayed significant differences among them and confirmed the suitability of soil arthropods as bioindicators in protected systems of organic farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzana Madzaric
- Dipartimento di Science per l'Ambiente,Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Parthenope' Centro Direzionale,Isola C4,80143 Napoli,Italy
| | - F G Ceglie
- CIHEAM - Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari,via Ceglie 9,70010 - Valenzano (BA),Italy
| | - L Depalo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie-Entomologia,Università di Bologna,viale Fanin 42,40127 Bologna,Italy
| | - L Al Bitar
- CIHEAM - Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari,via Ceglie 9,70010 - Valenzano (BA),Italy
| | - G Mimiola
- CIHEAM - Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari,via Ceglie 9,70010 - Valenzano (BA),Italy
| | - F Tittarelli
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria-Centro di ricerca per lo studio delle relazioni tra pianta e suolo CREA - RPS,Rome,Italy
| | - G Burgio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie-Entomologia,Università di Bologna,viale Fanin 42,40127 Bologna,Italy
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Boyle S, Kakouli-Duarte T. The behaviour of the nematode, Steinernema feltiae (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) in sand contaminated with the industrial pollutant chromium VI. Ecotoxicology 2018; 27:590-604. [PMID: 29663097 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-018-1932-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This study set out to determine the suitability of the nematode Steinernema feltiae as a bioindicator for heavy metal pollution, specifically chromium VI. Nematodes were introduced into sand contaminated with concentrations of Cr VI+, in a range between 10 and 100 ppm, in increments of 10. Reproductive potential, development times and infectivity vs exposure times to Cr VI were employed as endpoints. It was observed that infective juveniles (IJ) from this nematode can survive and successfully infect host insects in the presence of Cr VI for as much as 13 days, and that the nematode increases its reproductive potential at concentrations up to 100 ppm Cr VI+. Conversely, development times (time in days taken for progeny to emerge after larval host death) and IJ infectivity rates were observed to reduce with increasing concentrations of Cr VI. The ability of this nematode to survive in the presence of high concentrations of Cr VI, and its ability to increase progeny numbers at the early stages of Cr VI exposure may provide a survival advantage for this nematode at contaminated sites. It may also demonstrate potential for development as a model species for toxicological assessment in in-situ field sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Boyle
- Department of Science and Health, enviroCORE, Molecular Ecology and Nematode Research Group, Institute of Technology Carlow, Kilkenny Road, Carlow, Ireland.
| | - Thomais Kakouli-Duarte
- Department of Science and Health, enviroCORE, Molecular Ecology and Nematode Research Group, Institute of Technology Carlow, Kilkenny Road, Carlow, Ireland
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Neufeld HS, Johnson J, Kohut R. Comparative ozone responses of cutleaf coneflowers (Rudbeckia laciniata var. digitata, var. ampla) from Rocky Mountain and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks, USA. Sci Total Environ 2018; 610-611:591-601. [PMID: 28822927 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.08.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata L. var. digitata) is native to Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) and an ozone bioindicator species. Variety ampla, whose ozone sensitivity is less well known, is native to Rocky Mountain National Park (ROMO). In the early 2000s, researchers found putative ozone symptoms on var. ampla and rhizomes were sent to Appalachian State University to verify that the symptoms were the result of ozone exposure. In 2011, potted plants were exposed to ambient ozone from May to August. These same plants were grown in open-top chambers (OTCs) in 2012 and 2013, and exposed to charcoal-filtered (CF), non-filtered (NF), elevated ozone (EO), NF+50ppb in 2012 for 47days and NF+30/NF+50ppb ozone in 2013 for 36 and 36days, respectively. Ozone symptoms similar to those found in ROMO (blue-black adaxial stippling) were reproduced both in ambient air and in the OTCs. Both varieties exhibited foliar injury in the OTCs in an exposure-dependent manner, verifying that symptoms resulted from ozone exposure. In two of the three study years, var. digitata appeared more sensitive than var. ampla. Exposure to EO caused reductions in ambient photosynthetic rate (A) and stomatal conductance (gs) for both varieties. Light response curves indicated that ozone reduced A, gs, and the apparent quantum yield while it increased the light compensation point. In CF air, var. ampla had higher light saturated A (18.2±1.04 vs 11.6±0.37μmolm-2s-1), higher light saturation (1833±166.7 vs 1108±141.7μmolm-2s-1), and lower Ci/Ca ratio (0.67±0.01 vs 0.77±0.01) than var. digitata. Coneflowers in both Parks are adversely affected by exposure to ambient ozone and if ozone concentrations increase in the Rocky Mountains, greater amounts of injury on var. ampla can be expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard S Neufeld
- Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, USA.
| | - Jennifer Johnson
- Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, USA
| | - Robert Kohut
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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Di Bella G, Pizzullo G, Bua GD, Potortì AG, Santini A, Giacobbe S. Mapping toxic mineral contamination: the southern oyster drill, S. haemastoma (L., 1767), as evaluable sentinel species. Environ Monit Assess 2017; 190:7. [PMID: 29209943 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-017-6380-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The nickel, chromium, arsenic, cadmium, and lead content have been evaluated, by ICP-MS, in digestive gland of the amphiatlantic gastropod Stramonita haemastoma, sampled along the highly anthropized Gulf of Milazzo (Central Mediterranean). Concentrations notably higher than those reported in literature for other Mediterranean Muricidae have been recorded. The results also indicated a different impact in different sites, according to distribution and typology of human activities, whilst recorded seasonal variations might relate with rapid metabolic response. Such preliminary results suggest S. haemastoma may be considered a promising sentinel species for inorganic contamination in marine environment, especially in terms of short-medium-term exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Antonello Santini
- Department of Pharmacy, "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples, Italy
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Helmholz H, Ruhnau C, Pröfrock D, Erbslöh HB, Prange A. Seasonal and annual variations in physiological and biochemical responses from transplanted marine bioindicator species Mytilus spp. during a long term field exposure experiment. Sci Total Environ 2016; 565:626-636. [PMID: 27203523 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.04.202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Revised: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/30/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In a pilot field study the long term response of transplanted bioindicator organisms Mytilus spp. was analyzed on the basis of physiological indices and biochemical measurements related to the energy budget. Three different time series with deployment times of eight to twelve months were compared according to seasonality and repeatability of the responses. Test organisms were incubated at a coastal station in the anthropogenically impacted estuary of the river Elbe and at a North Sea station located in vicinity to the Island of Helgoland in the German Bight. The stations differ in their hydrological as well as chemical characteristics. They can be discriminated by statistical factor analysis based on the measured biochemical parameter. Levels of all energy budget biomarker varied between seasons; however, the degree of variation of the specific response was differently expressed. The mussels deployed at Helgoland showed a reproducible high Condition Index in each sampling series and an oscillating Gonadosomatic Index representing the reproduction cycle. The lowest available energy was recorded in mussels at the estuarine sampling station compared to the off-shore station. This may be caused by the energetically costly maintenance of osmotic balance and consequently result in a lower amount of energy available for defense again chemical stress, growth and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heike Helmholz
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Centre for Materials and Coastal Research, Institute of Coastal Research, Department Marine Bioanalytical Chemistry, Max-Planck St. 1, D-21502 Geesthacht, Germany.
| | - Christiane Ruhnau
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Centre for Materials and Coastal Research, Institute of Coastal Research, Department Marine Bioanalytical Chemistry, Max-Planck St. 1, D-21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Daniel Pröfrock
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Centre for Materials and Coastal Research, Institute of Coastal Research, Department Marine Bioanalytical Chemistry, Max-Planck St. 1, D-21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Hans-Burkhard Erbslöh
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Centre for Materials and Coastal Research, Institute of Coastal Research, Department Marine Bioanalytical Chemistry, Max-Planck St. 1, D-21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Andreas Prange
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Centre for Materials and Coastal Research, Institute of Coastal Research, Department Marine Bioanalytical Chemistry, Max-Planck St. 1, D-21502 Geesthacht, Germany
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